profession,' and finds it is not all beer and skittles. That run across the Channel into Queenstown harbour showed our young naval officer the difference between an ironclad and a torpedo boat. The latter is an uncommonly lively craft, and in a choppy sea under a fresh breeze was surprisingly nimble. The commander of No. 79 arrived in the harbour, having shown that at least in one respect he has already something in common with the late admiral, Lord Nelson. The officers of the Revenge had the honour to request the pleasure of the company of the Prince and his brother officers to breakfast. The brother officers went, His Royal Highness spent the day in his hammock, and towards evening wrote to his Royal Father a description of the perils of the deep.
Beer-Barrel, subs. (common).—The human body. Cf., Bacon.
Beeriness, subs., Beery, adj. (common).—Pertaining to a state of, or approaching to drunkenness; intoxicated; fuddled with beer. For synonyms, see Screwed.
1857. Dickens, Dorrit, bk. I., ch. viii., p. 56. The stranger was left to the . . . beery atmosphere, sawdust, pipe-lights, spittoons, and repose.
1877. D. C. Murray, in Belgravia, July, p. 73. There was a beery and bloated captain, resident in the inn, who had left the army, as the rumour ran, under disreputable auspices.
1889. Modern Society, July 13, p. 838. It is a fact that does not seem to have struck anyone, that Shakspeare's first appearance as a sporting tipster was in the words, 'Lay on Macduff.' We believe, however, that they could at that time have got five to one against him. So sure was the bard of his tip, that he added, in his own classical language, 'Damn'd be he that first cries, Hold, enough,' which is vulgarly translated by the beery oracle of the kerbstone, 'Put yer shirt on 'im, cuffs an' all.'
Beer-Jerker, subs. (American).—A tippler.—See Jerker and Slinger.
Beerocracy. subs. (common).—The brewing and beer-selling interest. [A humorous appellation in imitation of aristocracy. From beer + [o] cracy, from Greek [Greek: krate/ô], to rule, to hold.
1881. World, 19 Jan., p. 10, col. 2. The startling mixture of peerage and beerocracy . . . was absent this time. [m.]
Beer-Slinger.—See Slinger; also Jerker.
Beeswax, subs. (old).—1. Poor, soft cheese. Sometimes called sweaty-toe cheese (q.v.).
1821. W. T. Moncrieff, Tom and Jerry, Act ii., Sc. 3. Bob: Now, landlord, 'arter that 'ere drap of max, suppose we haves a drain o' heavy wet, just by way of cooling our chaffers—mine's as dry as a chip—and, I say, do you hear, let's have a twopenny burster, half a quartern of beesvax, a ha'p'orth o' ingens, and a dollop o' salt along vith it, vill you? Mace: Bellay! a burster and beesvax—ingens and salt here. (Calling as he fetches the porter from the side wing, l.). Now, then, here you are, Master Grim-*muzzle.
1849. Bell's Life. [From Baumann.] A burster with a slice of beeswax.
2. A bore; one who 'button-*holes' another. Generally, Old beeswax.
Beeswaxers, subs. (Winchester College).—Thick boots used for football. Probably from being smeared with beeswax or other substitute for rendering footgear supple. Pronounced B[)e]swaxers.
1870. Mansfield, School-Life at Winchester College, p. 137. Our costume consisted of a jersey, flannel trousers, beeswaxers (lace-up boots), or 'High-*lows' (low shoes), with two or three pairs of 'Worsteders' (thick worsted stockings), the feet of all but one pair being cut off.
