b. k. s
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
Military officers in mufti, when out on a spree, and not wishing their profession to be known, speak of their barracks as the B. K. S.
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “b. k. s” mean?
Military officers in mufti, when out on a spree, and not wishing their profession to be known, speak of their barracks as the B. K. S.
Is “b. k. s” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.