51. Just jump into a pair of bags and Wellingtons. Ibid, p. 5. His black go-to-meeting bags.
1870. Chambers' Journal (Christmas Number). 'But, holloa!' he cried, as he caught sight of his legs. 'Parsons don't wear light tweed bags!' . . . Jack had to unpack his portmanteau and get out his evening inexpressibles.
1874. M. Collins, Frances, ch. xv. His well-shapen hip and calf were hidden in loose-fitting bags of corduroy.
1880. Punch, Jan. 10, p. 6. The spread of education and liberal ideas.—His Grace the Duke of Poplar and Bermondsey. 'Just look at these bags you last built me, Snippe! J'ever see such beastly bags in your life? I shall always be glad to come and dine with you, old man; but I'll be hanged if you shall ever measure me for another pair of bags!' Mr. Snippe (of Snippe and Son, St. James's Street). 'You've always grumbled about your bags, as you call 'em, ever since you were my fag at Eton; and at Christchurch you were just as bad, even though my poor dear old governor used to come all the way down and measure you himself. It ain't the fault of the bags, my dear Popsy—it's the fault of the legs inside 'em! So, shut up, old Stick-in-the-mud, and let's join the ladies—the duchess has promised to give us "Little Billee."'
When made of startling material, or 'cut' in an exaggerated style of fashion they become howling bags.
English Synonyms. Dittoes; kicks; kicksies; bum-bags; sit-upons; unmentionables; continuations; hams; inexpressibles; abridgements; drumstick-cases; and ducks (when made of white material).
French Synonyms. Dalzar; falzar.
Intj. (schoolboy).—Bags! or bags I! is frequently used to assert a claim to some article or privilege. Analogous schoolboy slang is fains or fain it (q.v.) for demanding a truce during the progress of a game, and which is always granted by the opposing party. In other schools pike I or prior pike serve to lay claim to anything, or for asserting priority of claim. Also bar! e.g., 'He wanted me to do so and so, but I barred not.' Cf., Fain, Pike, and Bar.
To have the Bags, phr. (popular).—This phrase is erroneously given by Hotten (and Barrère has followed suit), as to have the bags off. The meaning is to be of age, and thus to possess all the rights and privileges of adultship; also to have plenty of money. Obviously an allusion to the transition from child's attire to the garments of manhood.
Bags of mystery, subs. phr. (common).—Sausages and saveloys are so called—from the often mysterious character of their compounds. Presumably composed of minced 'meat,' but so highly flavoured and seasoned that no man can tell whereof they are made.
To take the bags (athletic).—To act as 'hare' in 'Hare and Hounds,' a game too well known to need description in this place.
(Stock Exchange).—Buenos Ayres Great Southern Railway Bonds.—Formed from the initial letters, thus B-A-G-S.
Baijan.—See Bejan.
Bail. Straw-bail or straw-*shoes,
subs. (common).—A
nickname for a person willing
for a consideration, to
give evidence, or act as bail.
Formerly men were much
more ostentatious in plying
