Part 1

A NEW DICTIONARY OF THE Terms Ancient and Modern OF THE Canting Crew,

In its several TRIBES, OF _Gypsies, Beggers, Thieves, Cheats_, &c.

WITH An Addition of some Proverbs, Phrases, Figurative Speeches, _&c._

Useful for all sorts of People, (especially Foreigners) to secure their _Money_ and preserve their _Lives_; besides very Diverting and Entertaining, being wholly New.

By _B. E._ Gent.

_LONDON_, Printed for _W. Hawes_ at the _Rose_ in _Ludgate-street_, _P. Gilbourne_ at the Corner of _Chancery-lane_ in _Fleet-street_, and _W. Davis_ at the _Black Bull_ in _Cornhill_.

THE PREFACE.

Before I present the Reader, with the following Dictionary of the _Beggers_ and _Gypsies Cant_, I think it not amiss to premise a few Words concerning the _Beggers_ and _Gypsies_ themselves, by way of an Historical Account, of the Antiquity of the one, and the Universality of the other.

It makes not a little for the Honour of the _Beggers_, that their Original according to some Accounts, is no less Ancient than that of _Christianity_ it self; for in the Opinion of _Charron_, as the _Slaves_ went off, the _Beggers_ came in their Place. So much at least is granted, That the _Jews_ who allow’d of _Slaves_, had no _Beggers_. What shall we say, but that if it be true, that the Emancipating or Freeing of _Slaves_ was indeed the making of _Beggers_; it follows that Christianity which is daily employed in Redeeming _Slaves_ from the _Turks_, Ransom’d no less than all at once from _Pagan Slavery_ at first, at no dearer a Rate, than the Rent-charge of maintaining the _Beggers_, as the Price and Purchace of our Freedoms.

As for the Antiquity of the _English Beggers_, it may be observed, That the first _Statute_ which makes Provision for the _Parish-Poor_, is no older than Queen _Elizabeth_; from which it may be fairly Collected, That they entred with us upon the _Dissolution_ of the _Abbeys_, as with them abroad, upon the _Delivery_ of the _Slaves_.

For the _Gypsies_, they and the _Foul Disease_ have alike the Fate to run through a _Geography_ of _Names_, and to be made free of as many _Countries_, as almost there are _Languages_ to call them Names in; for as the _French_ call the _Pox_, the _Italian_ Disease, they again give it to the _Spaniards_, as these to the _French_; so the _French_ call the Gypsies _Boemie_, or _Bohemians_, belike, because they made their first Appearance in _Bohemia_ of any Part of _Europe_; the _Italians_ Name them _Zingari_ or _Saracens_, the _Spaniards_ _Ilanos_ as we _Egyptians_; whether it be, that the _Italians_ give them the _Turks_, as the _Spaniards_ give them the _Moors_, as being both the next Neighbors to each; I take not upon me to Determine, only it may be observed, betwixt the Complement of either kind, the Odds is no greater than this, of giving a Nation a Clap, or of laying a brood of Bastards at it’s Door.

Though _Holland_ has no Beggers, if the _Dutch_ themselves are not the greatest Beggers in the World; and _Switzerland_ has no Thieves, if the _Swiss_ who are altogether Soldiers, are not the greatest of Thieves. Yet, I say, neither the _States_ that are without _Beggers_, nor the _Cantons_ that are without _Thieves_, are notwithstanding either the one or the other, without _Gypsies_. So as what they want of _Beggers_ and _Thieves_ in point of Antiquity, the _Gypsies_ claim above both, in point of Universality.

But though _Gypsies_ are found in all Christian Countries, yet are they not in all Countries alike; their Nature and Genius being diverse, in proportion to the Countries amongst whom they Stroul; so that the same Question remains upon them, as is started of the _Winds_, as Universal Travellers as the _Gypsies_, that it seems a Doubt, Whether they partake more of the Nature of the Countries whence they rise, or of those through which they Pass?

Nor is it also new to meet the _Beggers_ and the _Proverbs_ together, for the Fashion is as old as _Plautus_, who puts the Proverbs and the Jests in the Mouth of his _Slaves_. And in the Character of _Sancho Pancha_, _Cervantes_ has Trod in the same Steps; in the History of _Don Quixot_, _Sancho_ being distinguished no less by his _Proverbs_, than his _Asse_. And between the _Slaves_ and the _Beggers_, the Difference is no greater, than between _Fathers_ and their _Heirs_.

If some Terms and Phrases of better Quality and Fashion, keep so ill Company, as Tag-Rag and Long-Tail; you are to remember, that it is no less then Customary, for _Great Persons_ a broad to hide themselves often in Disguises among the _Gypsies_; and even the late L. of _Rochester_ among us, when time was, among other Frolicks, was not ashamed to keep the _Gypsies_ Company.

A NEW DICTIONARY.

_Abram-cove_, c. a Naked or poor Man, also a lusty strong Rogue.

_Abram-men_, c. the seventeenth Order of the Canting-crew. Beggers antickly trick’d up with Ribbands, Red Tape, Foxtails, Rags, _&c._ pretending Madness to palliate their Thefts of Poultrey, Linnen, _&c._

_Academy_, c. a Bawdy-house, also an University or School to learn Gentleman-like Exercises.

_Accutrements_, c. fine rigging (now) for Men or Women, (formerly) only Trappings for Horses. _Well accoutred_, c. gentilly dress’d.

_Acquests_, and _Acquisitions_, the rights of Fortune purchased by Labour, Arts or Arms, oppos’d to Hereditary and Paternal.

_Acteon_, a Cuckold.

_Acteon’d_, Cuckolded, or made a Cuckold of.

_Adam’s-ale_, Water.

_Adam-tiler_, c. a Pick-pocket’s Camerade, who receives Stolen Money or Goods, and scowers off with them.

_Addle-pate_, one full of Whimsies and Projects, and as empty of Wit.

_Addle-plot_, a Martin-mar-all.

_Adrift_, loose. _I’ll turn ye adrift_, a Tar-phrase; I’ll prevent ye doing me any harm.

_Affidavit men_, Knights of the Post, Mercenary Sweaters for Hire, Inhabitants (formerly) of White Friers, now dispersed.

_Aft_ and _Abase_, towards the Stern, or hinder Part of the Ship.

_Aim_, Endeavour or Design. _To aim_ or _level at a Mark, he has mist his Aim_ or _End_.

_Air of a Song_, the Tune.

_Air of a Face or picture_, the Configuration and consent of Parts in each.

_Airy_, Light, brisk, pleasant; also a Nest of Hawks; He is an Airy Fellow.

_Alabaster_, mixt by all the knavish Perfumers with the Hair-Powder they sell, to make it weigh heavy, being of it self very cheap, that their Gain may be the greater, found destructive to the Hair and Health.

_Alsatia_, White Friers.

_Alsatia the higher_, the same.

_Alsatia the lower_, the Mint in Southwark.

_Alsatians_, the Inhabitants, such as, broken Gentlemen, Tradesmen, _&c._ Lurking there.

_Allay_, the Embasing of a purer and finer Metal, by mixing it with an inferior or coarser Metal, as of pale Gold with a Silver-Allay, or of deep Gold with an Allay of Copper; also whatever is used to qualify what is bitter or nauseous in Compositions, as gilding of Pills, sweetning of Boluses, or Powders.

_Aloft_, above or over Head; also anciently an Upper-room or Garret, now more us’d in Compounds, as _Cock-loft_, _Hay-loft_, &c.

_Altemall_, altogether.

_Altitudes_, _the Man is in his Altitudes_, he is Drunk.

_Ambidexter_, one that goes snacks in gaming with both Parties; also a _Lawyer_ that takes Fees of _Plaintif_ and _Defendant_ at once.

_Ambient-Air_, Air abroad oppos’d to that pent and shut up in Wells, Vaults, Caves, _&c._ Or else the outward Air in the House, oppos’d to that shut up in the Cavities of Vessels, Glasses Vials, _&c._

_Ambrol_, among the Tarrs for Admiral.

_Amphibious Creatures_, of a doubtful kind or of a double Element; as a Bat is between a Bird and a Beast; an Otter between a Beast and a Fish, and a Puffin with the rest of the Sea-Fowl, between Fowl and Fish.

_Amuse_, to throw dirt in one’s Eyes, by diverting one from a serious Thought to a pleasant one.

_Amusement_, a Blind or Disengagement from deep Thoughts to more Diverting.

_An Ark_, c. a Boat or Wherry.

_Anglers_, c. Cheats, petty Thievs, who have a Stick with a hook at the end, with which they pluck things out of Windows, Grates, _&c._ also those that draw in People to be cheated.

_Animal_, a Fool. _He is a meer Animal_, he is a very silly Fellow.

_Antechambers_, forerooms for receiving of Visits, as the back and Drawing Rooms are For Lodgings, anciently called Dining-rooms.

_Antidote_, a very homely Woman, also a medicine against Poyson.

_Antient_, at Sea, for Ensign, or Flag.

_Anticks_, little Images on Stone, on the out side of old Churches. _Antick postures or dresses_, such as are odd, ridiculous and singular, the habits and motions of Fools, Zanies, or Merry-andrews, of Mountebanks, with Ribbands, mismatched colours and Feathers.

_Antiquary_, a curious Critick in old Coins, Stones and Inscriptions, in Worm-eaten Records, and ancient Manuscripts; also one that affects and blindly doats, on Relicks, Ruins, old Customs Phrases and Fashions.

_Antiquated-Rogue_, Old, out of date, that has forgot or left off his Trade of Thieving, _&c._ also superannuated, obsolete Customs, or Words, such as are worn out, out of use and Fashion.

_Apart_, severally, asunder.

_Apartments_, Rooms apart, private Lodgings, inner Chambers, secret and withdrawn from the rest. Recesses of the House opposed to the _Ante-chambers_.

_Arack_, an East-Indian Brandy, or strong Spirit drawn from Rice, and (sometimes) Roes of Fish, best when old, much us’d in Punch, the double distill’d _Goa_ most esteem’d.

{ _Rogue_, Witty. _Areh_, { _Wag_, Pleasant. { _Whore_, Cunning.

_Armi_, _to bear Arms_, a Profession not unbecoming a Gentleman, for _Books_ and _Arms_ are Gentlemens Burdens.

_Armour_, _in his Armour_, Pot-valiant.

_Aristippus_, a Diet-drink, or Decoction of _Sarsa_, _China_, &c. Sold at certain Coffee-houses, and drank as _T_.

_Arsworm_, a little diminutive Fellow.

_Ascendant_, Power, Influence, as, _he has the Ascendant over him_, or an Hank upon him; also the Horoscope, or point of the Ecliptic that rises at one’s Nativity.

_Assig_, now us’d for Assignation, an Appointment or meeting.

_Assuming_, conceited, as, _an Assuming Fellow_, one that abounds in his own Sense, and imposes it upon every Man else.

_Assurance_, Confidence, as, _a Man of Assurance_, one that has a stock of Confidence.

_Aunt_, a Bawd, as _one of my Aunts_, one of the same Order.

_Autem_, c. a Church, also Married.

_Autem mort_, c. a Married-woman, also the Twenty fourth Order of the Canting Tribe, Travelling, Begging (and often Stealing) about the Country, with one Child in Arms another on Back, and (sometimes) leading a third in the Hand.

_Auxiliary beauty_, Dress, Paint, Patches, setting of Eye-brows, and licking the Lipps with red.

B

_Babler_, a great Talker.

_Backt_, dead, as _he wishes the old Man backt_, he longs to have his Father upon six Mens shoulders, or as _his Back’s up_, he is in a fume, or angry.

_Bacon_, as _he sav’d his Bacon_, he has escap’d with a whole Skin. _A good voice to beg Bacon_, said in jear of an ill voice.

_Badge_, a mark of Distinction among poor People; as, Porters, Water-men, Parish-Pensioners and Hospital-boys, Blew-coats and Badges being the ancient Liveries.

_Badgers_, they that buy up a quantity of Corn and hoard it up in the same Market, till the price rises; or carry it to another, where it bears a better. Also a Beast for sport, _Badger Eartheth_, _Lodgeth_.

_Badjob_, an ill bout, bargain, or business.

_Baffle_, to worst, or defeat. _A baffled Cause_, worsted, defeated.

_Baggage_, a Whore or Slut.

_Bagonet_ or _Bisnet_, a _Dagger_.

_Bail-dock_, the place in the Court, where the Prisoners are kept till called to be Arraign’d.

_Balsom_, c. Money.

_Balderdash_, ill, unpleasant, unwholesom mixtures of Wine, Ale, _&c._

_Banbury-story_, of a Cock and a Bull, silly chat.

_Banditti_, Highwaymen, (Horse or Foot) Rogues of any kind, now, but strictly Italian Outlaws.

_Bandog_, a Bailiff, or his Follower, a Sergeant, or his Yeoman; also a very fierce Mastive.

_Bandore_, a Widows mourning Peak; also a Musical Instrument.

_Bandy_, a play at Ball with a Bat; also to follow a Faction.

_Bandy-legg’d_, crooked.

_Bang_, a blow, _to Bang_, to beat.

_Banillas_, a Seed growing in a Cod, somewhat resembling a Kidney-bean, on Trees in the _Indies_, much us’d in Chocolate.

_Banter_, a pleasant way of prating, which seems in earnest, but is in jest, a sort of ridicule, _What do you banter me?_ i. e. do you pretend to impose upon me, or to expose me to the Company, and I not know your meaning.

_Bantling_, a Child.

_Barker_, a Salesman’s Servant that walks before the Shop, and cries, Cloaks, Coats, or Gowns, what d’ye lack, Sir?

_Barketh_, the Noise a Fox makes at Rutting time.

_Barnacle_, c. a good job, or a snack easily got, also Fish growing on Ships sides when foul, and a Brake for unruly Horses Noses, also the Gratuity to _Jockeys_, for selling or buying Horses.

_Barnacles_, c. the Irons Fellons wear in Goal.

_Bar-wig_, between a bob and a long one.

_Basset_, a Game at Cards.

_Baste_, to beat, as, _I’ll baste your sides Sirrah_, I’ll bang you lustily.

_Bastonado-ing_, a Cudgelling.

_Batten_, c. to Fatten.

_Battner_, c. an Ox.

_Batter_, the ingredients for a Pudding or Pan-cake, when they are all mixt and stirred together.

_Battery_, beating, assault, also, striking with the Edge and _feble_ of one’s Sword, upon the edge and _feble_ of his Adversaries.

_Batter’d-bully_, an old well cudgell’d and bruis’d huffing Fellow.

_Baubee_, a half-penny.

_Baubels_, c. Jewels, also trifles and Childrens Play-things.

_Bawdy-baskets_, c. the Twenty third Rank of Canters, with Pins, Tape, Obscene Books, _&c._ to sell, but live more by Stealing.

_Bawdy-batchelors_, that live long Unmarried.

_Bawdy-house-bottle_, a very small one.

_Bay-windows_, embowed, as of old, standing out from the rest of the Building. _Stand at bay_, as Deer will, when closely pursued, or being hard run, turn Head against the Hounds.

_Beach_, the Sea-shore, or Strand.

_Bear-garden-discourse_, common, filthy, nasty Talk. _If if had been a Bear it would have bit you_, of him that makes a close search after what just lies under his Nose. _As good take a Bear by the Tooth_, of a bold desperate Undertaking. _Go like the Bear to the Stake_, or hang an Arse. _As many tricks as a dancing Bear_, or more than are good.

_Beard-splitter_, an enjoyer of Women.

_Beateth_, the noise a Hare makes at Rutting time.

_Beating_, striking the _Feble_ of the Adversary’s Sword, with the _Fort_ and edge of one’s own.

_Beau_, a silly Fellow that follows the Fashions nicely, Powdering his Neck, Shoulders, _&c._

_Beautrap_, a Sharper.

_Beck_, c. a Beedle.

_Beetle-head_, a heavy dull Block-head.

_Beldam_, a scolding old Woman.

_Belle_, a nice, gay, fluttring foolish Woman that follows every Fashion, also fair.

_Belloweth_, see Roe.

_Belly-cheat_, c. an Apron.

_Belsh_, all Mault drinks.

_Belweather_, chief or Leader of the Flock, Master of misrule, also a clamorous noisy Man.

_Bene_, c. good.

_Bene-cove_, c. a good Fellow.

_Bene-ship_, c. very good, also Worship.

_Bene-bowse_, c. strong Liquor, or very good Drink.

_Bene-darkmans_, c. good night.

_Benfeakers of Gyoes_, c. Counterfeiters of Passes.

_Benefit of Clergy_, see Neck-verse.

_Ben_, a Fool.

_Bennish_, Foolish.

_Beside-himself_, distracted, _beside the Cushion_, a mistake, _beside the Lighter_, in a bad condition.

_Besom_, a Broom.

_Bestrid_, Mounted or got up astride.

_Bess_, c. _bring bess and glym_, c. forget not the Instrument to break open the Door and the Dark-lanthorn.

_Betty_, c. a small Engin to force open the Doors of Houses; also, a quarter Flask of Wine.

_Bever_, an afternoon’s Lunchion.

_Beveridge_, a Garnish-money, for any thing; also Wine and Water.

_Bevy_, a company of Roes, Quails, _&c._ _Bevy Grease_, Roes fat.

_Bewildred_, at a stand or nonplus in Business, not knowing what to do, also lost in a Wood.

_Biddy_, a Chicken, also Bridget.

_Big_, choice Barley-making, the best Mault.

_Biggin_, a Woman’s Coif.

_Biggot_, an obstinate blind Zealot.

_Biggotry_, an obstinate blind Zeal.

_Bil-boa_, c. a Sword.

_Bite the Bil from the Cull_, c. whip the Sword from the Gentleman’s side.

_Bilk_, c. to cheat. _Bilk the Ratling-cove_, c. to sharp the Coach-man of his hire.

_Bilk’d_, c. defeated, disappointed.

_Billeting_, Foxes Excrements. _Billeting_ of Soldiers, Quartering them.

_Billet-doux_, a Love letter.

_Bill-of-sale_, a Bandore, or Widow’s Peak.

_Billingsgate-dialect_, Scolding, ill Language, foul Words.

_Binding_, securing the Adversary’s Sword with Eight or ten Inches of one’s one, upon Five or six of his.

_Bing_, c. _to go_, _&c._

_Bing-awast_, c. get you hence. _Bing’d awast in a Darkmans_, c. stole away in the Night-time. _Bing we to Rume vile_, c. go we to _London_.

_Bingo_, c. Brandy.

_Bingo-boy_, c. a great Drinker or Lover thereof.

_Bingo-club_, c. a set of Rakes, Lovers of that Liquor.

_Birds of a Feather_, c. Rogues of the same gang; also, those of the same Profession, Trade or Employment. _To kill two Birds with one Stone_, to dispatch two Businesses at one Stroke.

_Bird-witted_, Wild-headed, not Solid or Stayed, opposed to a Sober-Wit.

_Bit_, c. Robb’d, Cheated or Out-witted. Also Drunk, as, _he has bit his Grannam_; he is very Drunk. _Bit the Blow_, c. accomplish’d the Theft, plaied the Cheat, or done the Feat: _You have Bit-a great Blow_, c. you have Robb’d some body of a great deal, or to a considerable value.

_Bite_, c. a Rogue, Sharper or Cheat; also a Woman’s Privities.

_Bite the Biter_, c. to Rob the Rogue, Sharp the Sharper, or Cheat the Cheater.

_Bite the Cully_, c. to put the cheat on the silly Fellow.

_Bite the Roger_, c. to Steal the Portmanteau. _Bite the Wiper_, c. to Steal the Handkerchief. _The Cull wapt the Morts bite_, c. the Fellow enjoyed the Whore briskly. _He will not bite, or swallow the Bait._ He won’t be drawn in, _to bite on the bit_; to be pinched, or reduced to hard Meat, a scanty or sorry sort of Living.

_Bitter-cold_, very Cold.

_Black and White_, under one’s Hand, or in Writing.

_Blab_, a Sieve of Secrets, a very prating Fellow that tells all he knows.

_Black-box_, a Lawyer.

_Black-coat_, a Parson.

_Black-guard_, Dirty, Nasty, Tatter’d roguish Boys, that attend (at the Horse-Guards) to wipe Shoes, clean Boots, water Horses, or run of Errands.

_Blackjack_, a Leather-Jug to drink in.

_Black-Indies_, Newcastle, from whence the Coals are brought.

_Blackmuns_, c. Hoods and Scarves of Alamode and Lustrings.

_Black-mouth_, foul, malicious, Railing, or Reflecting.

_Blacken_, to blast or asperse.

_Black-spy_, c. the Devil.

_Blank_, baffled, down-look’t, sheepish, guilty.

_Bleak_, sharp, piercing Weather.

_Bleach_, to whiten.

_Bleaters_, c. they that are cheated by Jack-in-a box.

_Bleating cheat_, c. a Sheep.

_Bleed freely_, c. part with their Money easily.

_Blemish_, when Hounds or Beagles find where the Chace has been, and make a proffer to enter, but return.

_Blew-John_, Wash, or Asterwort.

_Blind-cheeks_, the Breech _Kiss my Blind-cheeks_, Kiss my Ar—.

_Blind-excuse_, a sorry shift. _A Blind Ale-house, or Blind Lane_, obscure, of no Sign, Token, or Mark.

_Blind harpers_, c. Beggers counterfeiting blindness, with Harps or Fiddles.

_Blind-man’s-buff_, a play us’d by Children blindfolded. _Bluffed_, contracted from Blind-man’s-buff, he that is Blinded in the Play.

_Blind-man’s-holiday_, when it is too dark to see to Work.

_Blind side_, every Man’s weak Part.

_Bloated_, Smoked Herrings; also, one puffed or swelled with false Fat, and has not a Healthy Complexion.

_Blobber-lipp’d_, very thick, hanging down, or turning over.

_Block_, a silly Fellow.

_Block-houses_, c. Prisons, also Forts upon Rivers.

_Blockish_, Stupid.

_Blockstock_, See _Block_.

_Bloss_, c. a Thief or Shop-lift, also, a Bulhes pretended Wife, or Mistress, whom he guards, and who by her Trading supports him, also a Whore.

_Blot the Skrip and jark it_, c. to stand Engaged, or be Bound for any body.

_Blot in the Tables_, what is fair to be hit.

_Blot in a Scutcheon_, a blemish or imputation upon any one.

_Bloud_, _’twill breed ill Bloud_, of what will produce a misunderstanding or Difference.

_Blower_, c. a Mistress, also a Whore.

_Blowing_, c. _the same_.

_Blow-off-on the grounsills_, c. to lie with a Woman on the Floor or Stairs.

_Blown upon_, seen by several, or slighted; _not blown upon_, a secret piece of News or Poetry, that has not taken air, spick and span-new. _To blow Hot and Cold_ with a Breath, or play fast and loose.

_Blow off the loose corns_, c. to Lie now and then with a Woman. _It is blow’d_, c. it is made publick, and all have notice.

_Blubber_, Whale-oyl, (imperfect.)

_Blubbering_, much Crying.

_Bluffer_, c. a Host, Inn-keeper or Victualler, _to look bluff_, to look big, or like Bull-beef.

_Blunder_, an Ignorant Mistake.

_Blunderbuss_, a Dunce, an unganely Fellow, also a short Gun carrying Twenty Pistol-Bullets at one Charge.

_Bluster_, to huff, a _blustring Fellow_, a rude ratling Fellow.

_Boor_, see wild Boar.

_Boarding-school_, c. Bridewell.

_Boarding-scholars_, c. Bridewell-birds.

_Bob_, c. a Shop-lift’s camrade, assistant, or receiver, also a very short Periwig, and for Robert. _It’s all bob_, c. all is safe, the Bet is secured.

_Bob’d_, c. Cheated, Trick’d, Disappointed, or Baulk’d.

_Bob-tail_, a light Woman, also a short Arrow-head.

_Bode-ill_, to presage or betoken ill. Also in _Holland_, a _Bode_ is a Messinger, attending the Burgo-Masters, and executing their Orders.

_Bodle_, Six make a Penney, Scotch Coin.

_Boer_, a Country-Fellow or Clown.

_Boerish_, Rude, Unmannerly, Clownish.

_Boggs_, Irish Fastnesses or Marshes.

_Bog-houses_, Privies.

_Bog-landers_, Irish Men.

_Bog-trotters_, Scotch or North Country Moss-troopers or High-way Men formerly, and now Irish Men.

_Boisterous Fellow_ or, _Sea_, Blustering, Rude, Rough.

_Boldface_, Impudent. _A Bold Harbour_, where Ships may Ride at Anchor with safety, _a bold Shore_ where Ships may Sail securely.

_Bolter of White Friers_, c. one that Peeps out, but dares not venture abroad, as a Coney bolts out of the Hole in a Warren, and starts back again.

_Bolting_, the leaping by one’s Adversary’s Left-side quite out of all measure.

_Boltsprit_, a Nose. _He has broke his Boltsprit_, he has lost his Nose with the Pox.

_Bombast-poetry_, in Words of lofty Sound and humble Sense.

_Bone_, c. to Apprehend, _Seize_, Take or Arrest. _I’ll Bone ye_, c. I’ll cause you to be Arrested. _We shall be Bon’d_, c. we shall be Apprehended for the Robbery. _The Cove is Bon’d and gon to the Whit_, c. the Rogue is taken up and carried to Newgate, or any other Gaol. _The Cull has Bon’d the Fen_, (for _Fence_) _or Bloss that bit the Blow_, c. the Man has Taken the Thief that Robb’d his House, Shop, or Pickt his Pocket. _He has bit his Blow, but if he be Bon’d, he must shove the Tumbler_, c. he has Stole the Goods, or done the Feat, but if he be Taken, he’ll be Whipt at the Cart-tail. _I have Bon’d her Dudds Fagg’d, and Brush’d_, c. I have took away my Mistress Cloathes, Beat her, and am troop’d off. _Boning the Fence_, c. finding the Goods where Conceal’d, and Seizing, _he made no bones of it_, he swallow’d it without Drinking after it.

_Bonny-clapper_, sower Butter-milk.

_Booby_, a dull heavy Lob.

_Booberkin_, the same.

_Boon_, a Gift, Reward, or Gratification.

_Boon-companion_, a merry Drinking Fellow.

_Boot_, a Scotch Torture, or Rack, for the Leg, is to draw to Confession.

_What Boots it?_ What Avails it?

_Booty-play_, false, Cheating, also Plunder, _the Bowls Booty_, when great Odds are laid, and he goes Halves, his Cast is designed by Bad.

_Boracho_, a But, a Drunkard, and a Hogskin.

_Borde_, c. a Shilling, _half a Borde_, c. Sixpence.

_Bordel-lo_, a Bawdy-House.

_Boreson or Bauson_, a Badger.

_Bottle-head_, void of Wit.

_Bottom_, _a Man of no Bottom_, of no Basis of Principles, or no settlement of Fortune, or of no Ground in his Art. _Let every Tub stand on it’s own Bottom_, or every one look to his own footing. _A Tale of a Tub with the Bottom out_, a sleeveless frivolous Tale.

_Boughs_, _he is up in the Boughs, or a top of the House_, of one upon the Rant, or in a great Ferment.

_Bounce_, to boast and vapour. _A meer Bounce_, a Swaggering Fellow.