Beeswing, subs. (common).—A gauzy film or 'crust,' in port wines, the result of age. [From bees + wing; so called from its appearance when broken up in the process of decanting.] Hence also beeswinged.
1846. Thackeray, Vanity Fair, III., p. 26. Scott from under bushy eyebrows winked at the apparition of a beeswing.
1850. D. Jerrold, The Catspaw, Act i. Whereupon, the animal spirits are held in suspense, like—like the beeswing in port.
1873. Fitzedward Hall, Modern English, p. 32. This port is not presentable unless beeswinged.
Old beeswing, subs. (common).—A nickname for anyone, but especially for one who 'takes to his liquor kindly' as the saying goes.
18(?). Mark Lemon, Golden Fetters, II., p. 74. Mr. Clendon did not call Mr. Barnard 'old cock,' 'old fellow,' or old beeswing.
Beetle-Crusher or Beetle Squasher, subs. (popular).—1. A large foot. The term was popularised by Leech in the pages of Punch. For synonyms, see Hoof.
2. In a transferred and now more common sense to that originally obtaining, a large boot or shoe. Also Beetle-cases. For synonyms, see Trotter-cases.
1869. W. Bradwood, The O.V.H., ch. xxi. Writhing yet striving to look pleasant on the infliction which the beetle-crusher of a recent arrival had just inflicted on his pet corn.
c. 1880. Rhoda Broughton, Cometh up as a Flower, II., p. 200. Yes, but what horrible boots! Whoever could have had the atwocity to fwame such beetle-crushers.
3. (military.)—An infantry soldier; the term is applied to them by the cavalry. A variant is Mud-crusher, which see for synonyms.
Beetle-Crushing, adj. (popular).—With solid tread, such as comes from large heavy feet encased in boots or shoes to match; eg., the marching of infantry. Cf., Beetle-crusher, sense 3.
1876. Anteros, I., p. 188. The possibility floated before him, now, of sending all his live and dead stock into the market,—of exchange into a sedate beetle-crushing corps.
Beetles, subs. (Stock Exchange).—Colorado mine shares.
1887. Atkins, House Scraps. Oh supposing our creamjugs were broken, Or beetles were sowing the babies.
Beetle-Sticker, subs. (common).—An entomologist.
Before the Wind, phr. (colloquial).—In prosperous circumstances; out of debt or difficulty. From the nautical expression.
Begad! intj. (common).—A corruption of 'By God!' and, as such a euphemistic oath.—See Oaths.
1742. Fielding, J. Andrews. Begad! madam . . . 'tis the very same I met.
1848. Thackeray, Vanity Fair, II., iv., 39. Only one, begad! in the world.
Beggared. I'll be beggared if, etc., phr. (common).—An emphatic form of asseveration; i.e., 'I'll give up everything, even to being reduced to beggary, if,' etc.
Beggar-Maker, subs. (old).—A publican.
