with, if not actually belonging to, the series of synonyms for the operations which derive their origin from the shoemakers, curriers, and allied trades, as we find it in 'a leathering,' 'a strapping,' 'a tanning,' 'a welting,' etc? Indeed, it is worth noting in this connection, from the number of epithets applied to the operation, what a deal of chastising has apparently been required in most trades and occupations, for nearly all—except, perhaps, the carpenter's, where sticks are plentiful—appear to be represented, and even in the domestic circle one can have a choice of 'a towelling,' 'a basting,' 'a clouting,' 'a rubbing down,' 'a dressing,' 'a trimming,' or 'a wiping' when occasion requires.
1533. Bellenden, Livy, III. (1822), 223. He departit weil basit and defuleyeit of his clothing.
1599. Greene, George-a-Greene, in wks. (Grosart) XIV., 174. Ile baste you both so well, you were neuer better basted in your liues.
1605. Tryall of Chevalry, III., i., in Bullen's Old Plays, iii., 305. But, had I knowne as much, I would have basted him till his bones had rattled in his skin.
1611. Beaumont, Knight of Burning Pestle, II., iv.
Look on my shoulders, they are black and blue; Whilst to and fro fair Luce and I were winding, He came and basted me with a hedge-binding.
1660. Pepys, Diary, July 22. One man was basted by the keeper, for carrying some people over on his back, through the water.
1754. Martin, Eng. Diet., 2 ed. To baste or bast . . . to beat, or bang soundly.
1874. Mrs. H. Wood, Johnny Ludlow, 1 S., xix., p. 328. 'Hold your row, Davvy,' he roared out, wrathfully: 'you'd not like me to come back and give you a basting.'
Among some English Synonyms may also be mentioned:—to give a hiding; to give a walloping; to dust one's jacket; to quilt; to tan; to set about; to walk into; to manhandle; to give one Jesse; to give one gas; to dowse; to pay.
For synonyms generally, see Tan.
Baster, subs. (American thieves').—A
New York cant term for a
house thief.
Bastile, subs. (vagrants').—A workhouse.
For synonyms, see Big
house. Probably from the
Bastile, a famous prison; lock-ups
for a long time being generically
named Bastiles. Now
corrupted into steel.
1883. Cuthbert Bede, in Graphic, June 2, p. 558, col. 2. Mister Corbyn ad always called the workhouse by the opprobrious epithet of the basteel.
(Thieves'.)—A prison.—See Cage. Bastile in this sense is mentioned by Captain Grose [1785].
Bat, subs. (old slang).—1. A prostitute
who plies her trade by
night; an allusion to the nocturnal
habits of the flying
mammal—indeed, another old
term for a woman of the town
was literally a fly-by-night.
The equivalent French term,
hirondelle de nuit, i.e., 'a night
swallow,' is more poetic. For
full lists of synonyms, see Barrack-hack.
2. (American.)—A spree; frolic; and sometimes a drunken bout. A contracted form of 'batter.'
1889. Bird o' Freedom, Aug. 7, p. 1. Mr. Pote: 'I see in the evening paper
