Baldober or Baldower, subs. (thieves').—A leader; a head man; a spokesman. This term has been imported into the lingo of English thieves from the German Gaunersprache, in which it has very much the same meaning.
Balductum, subs. (old).—Nonsense; rubbish. Cf., Balderdash.
Baldy, subs. (American).—A colloquial vulgarism for a bald-headed man. Cf., Balditude.
Balfour's Maiden, subs. (Parliamentary).—A nickname given to a kind of covered battering-ram used by the Royal Irish Constabulary in carrying out evictions in Ireland in the years 1888-9. On many estates the tenants made most desperate resistance to all attempts on the part of the landlords to recover possession, upon which the latter appealed for, and obtained the assistance of the authorities. This but served to intensify the struggle, and the tenants, driven to extremities, in some cases resisted all endeavours, even to throwing boiling water over the soldiers and police employed against them. To protect the evictors, and also to render easier the demolition of the cabins of the wretched people, a kind of covered battering-ram was made, whereupon the Home Rule Party sarcastically gave it, amongst other nick-names, that of Balfour's maiden. The term was first used by Sir Wm. Harcourt in a speech at a monster Home Rule meeting, held at St. James's Hall, on Wednesday, April 10, 1889. An account of the incident runs as follows :—
1889. Daily News, April 11. Resolute government has not been absolutely extinguished. Now at Letterkenny, Mr. Balfour has introduced a new invention, the latest development of resolute government. The Government were questioned on the subject, and they accepted the responsibility for the facts. It stated that in view of the Olphert estate evictions, there reached there an iron-headed spiked battering-ram to be used in carrying out the evictions. Why, really, gentlemen, when you read of these things they are like the pictures one sees of the Siege of Jerusalem—(loud laughter)—of the implements, which the Latins called tormenta. We are familiar with them in old mediæval castles. You find instruments called 'The Scavenger's Daughter,' and 'The Maiden,' and other implements of that character. I think this last pattern of ram of Mr. Balfour's might be called 'The Unionist's Daughter'—(loud laughter)—or it might be christened 'Balfour's Maiden.' (Cheers and laughter.) But not to deprive the Liberal Unionists of their share we might call it 'Chamberlain's Tenants' Protector.' (Renewed merriment.)
Ball, subs. (thieves').—1. A prison ration. 2. A drink.
To open the ball, phr. (common).—To commence an undertaking; to start off.
1876. Eton Chronicle, July 20. . . . Whatever may seem the mishaps of his team, Whatever their failings and sinnings, He who opened the ball and who saw them all fall, Scarce deserved that defeat in one innings.
Ballad-Basket, subs. (old).—A street singer.—See Street pitcher. A French equivalent is un braillard.
Ballambangjang, subs. (nautical).—The Straits of Ballambangjang, though unnoticed by geographers, are frequently mentioned in sailors' yarns as being so narrow, and the rocks on each side so crowded with trees
