black over Bill's mother's
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
Browse English 4579
All languages English Tiếng Việt
Where will you be? Anywhere UK & IrelandUnited StatesOnline slangBusiness jargon
black ox
The black ox has trod on his foot — i.e. misfortune has come to him. Black oxen were sacrificed to Pluto and other infernal deities.
black oxide
a dark corrosion-resistant coating
Black Parliament
This is the name often given to the Parliament that was opened in Nov., 1529, for the purpose of furthering Henry VIII's seizing and consolidating his thefts of Church property. During the six and a half years of its existence it carried out the king's arbitrary orders with a servility no parliament has shown before or since.
Black Prince
Edward, Prince of Wales (1330-76), eldest son of Edward III. Froissart says he was "styled black by terror of his arms" (c. 169). Strutt confirms this saying: "for his martial deeds surnamed Black tne Prince" (Antiquities). Meyrick says there is not the slightest proof that he ever wore black armour, and, indeed, there is indirect proof against the supposition. Thus, there was a picture on the wall of St.
black psalm
To sing the black psalm; to cry: a saying used to children.
black rider
a mysterious or threatening figure
Black Rod
The short title of a Court official, who is styled fully "Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod," so called from his staff of office — a black wand surmounted by a golden lion. He is the Chief Gentleman Usher of the Lord Chamberlain's Department, and also Usher to the House of Lords and the Chapter of the Garter.
Black Rood of Scotland
The "piece of the true cross" or rood, set in an ebony crucifix, which St.
Black Russia
A name formerly given to Central and Southern Russia, from its black soil,
Black Saladin
Warwick's famous horse, which was coal-black. Its sire was Malech, and according to tradition, when the race of Malech failed, the race of Warwick would fail also. And it was so.
Black Sea meet
They were said to close together when a vessel attempted to sail be- tween them, and thus crush it to pieces. Cyanean means blue-coloured, and Sym- plegades means dashers together.
black sheep
A disgrace to the family or community; a mauvais sujet. Black sheep are looked on with dislike by some shepherds, and are not so valuable as white ones. Cp.
Black Shirts
The black shirt was the distinguishing garment worn by the Italian Fascists and adopted in England by their imitators.
black spice racket
To rob chimney sweepers of their soot, bag and soot.
black strap
Bene Carlo wine; also port. A task of labour imposed on soldiers at Gibraltar, as a punishment for small offences.
black strap
Bad port wine. A sailor's name for any bad liquor. In North America, "Black-strap" is a mixture of rum and molasses, sometimes vinegar is added.
black velvet
A drink composed of champagne and Guinness stout in equal parts. It was the favourite drink of the Iron Chancel- lor, Bismarck.
Black Watch
Originally companies em- ployed about 1725 by the English government to watch the Islands of Scotland. They dressed in a "black" or dark tartan. They were enrolled in the regular army as the 42nd regiment under the Earl of Crawford, in 1737. Their tartan is still called 'The Black Watch Tartan," Trie regiment is now officially "The Royal Highlanders," but is still called "The Black Watch.
black-a-vised
Having a very dark complexion.
blackberry-swagger
A person who hawks tapes, boot-laces, &c.
blackbirding
Slave-catching. Term most applied nowadays to the Polynesian coolie traffic.
blackguard
A low or dirty fellow; a rough or a hulking fellow, capable of any meanness or cowardice.
blackguardiana
Or, Dictionary of Rogues, Bawds, &c., 8vo, WITH PORTRAITS [by James Caulfield]. 1795.
blackhawk and his tribe
Bird symbolizes keenness, cunning, and tenacity. 87th: Golden Acorn. Their patch is a green field with a golden acorn which symbolizes strength.
blackleg
A rascal, swindler, or card cheat. The derivation of this term was solemnly argued before the full Court of Queen’s Bench upon a motion for a new trial for libel, but was not decided by the learned tribunal. Probably it is from the custom of sporting and turf men wearing black top-boots. Hence BLACKLEG came to be the phrase for a professional sporting man, and thence for a professional sporting cheat. The word is now in its worst sense diminished to "leg."
blacklegs
A gambler or sharper on the turf or in the cockpit: so called, perhaps, from their appearing generally in boots; or else from game-cocks whose legs are always black.
blackstuff
Tarmac.
blackthorn winter
The cold weather which frequently occurs when the blackthorn is in blossom. See ICE-SAINTS.
blackwork
Undertaking. The waiters met at public dinners are often employed during the day as mutes, etc. Omnibus and cab drivers regard BLACKWORK as a dernier ressort.
bladder-of-lard
A coarse, satirical nickname for a bald-headed person. From similarity of appearance.
bladdered
Drunk.
blade
A man—in ancient times the term for a soldier; "knowing BLADE," a wide-awake, sharp, or cunning man.
Blade Tom
The Earl of Ormonde, Lord Deputy of Ireland in the reign of Elizabeth; so called from his ungracious ways and "black looks,1*
blame Canada
To jokingly blame Canada for something
blame game
Accusing others to deflect responsibility
blank
To look blank; to appear disappointed or confounded.
blank cartridge
Cartridge with powder only, that is, without shot, bullet, or ball.
blank cheque
A cheque duly signed, but without specifying any sum of money; the amount to be filled in by the payee.
blank out
to forget or be unable to recall something
blank verse
Rhymeless verse in continu- ous decasyllabics with iambic or trochaic rhythm, first used in English by the Earl of Surrey in his version of the &neid> about 1540. There is other unrhymed verse, but it is not usual to extend to such poems as Collms's Ode to Evening, Whitman's Leaves of Grass, or the vers libre of to-day, the name blank verse.
blanket hornpipe
The amorous congress.
blanket term
A term that encompasses a broad range of concepts or ideas
blare out
To broadcast or announce something loudly and publicly
blarney
He has licked the blarney stone; he deals in the wonderful, or tips us the traveller.
blarney
Flattery, powers of persuasion. A castle in the county of Cork. It is said that whoever kisses a certain stone in this castle will be able to persuade others of whatever he or she pleases. The name of the castle is derived from BLADH, a blossom, i.e., the flowery or fertile demesne. BLADH is also flattery; hence the connexion. A more than ordinarily persuasive Irishman is said to have "kissed the BLARNEY stone."
Blasphemous Balfour
Sir James Balfour, the Scottish judge, was so called because of his apostasy. He died in 1583. He is said to have served, deserted, and profited by all parties.
blast
To curse. Originally a Military expression.
blast from the past
Something or someone from one's past that is unexpectedly encountered again
blast off
to launch or start something suddenly and energetically
blast out
Play music very loudly
Blatant Beast
In Spenser's Faerie Queene "a dreadful fiend of gods and men, ydrad"; the type of calumny or slander.
Blayney's Bloodhounds
The old 89th Foot; so called because of their unerring certainty, and untiring perseverance in hunting down the Irish rebels in 1798, when the corps was commanded by Lord Blayney.
blaze
To leave trace purposely of one’s way in a forest or unknown path by marking trees or other objects.
blaze away
to start doing something with a lot of energy and enthusiasm
blazes
A low synonym for the infernal regions, and now almost for anything. "Like BLAZES" is a phrase of intensification applied without any reference to the original meaning. Also applied to the brilliant habiliments of flunkeys, since the episode of Sam Weller and the "swarry."
bleached mort
A fair-complexioned wench.
bleaters
Those cheated by Jack in a box. CANT.--See JACK IN A BOX.
bleating rig
Sheep stealing. Cant.
blechy
Disgusting.
Advertisement
Ad space — ads help keep Idiomer free. Premium will remove them.