ordered (q.v.) his name to the Bible-clerk (q.v.).
1864. Blackwood's Magazine, vol. XCV., p. 79. Underneath is the place of execution, where delinquents are bibled. Ibid, p. 72. It need hardly be said that it [the rod] is applied in the ordinary fashion: six cuts forming what is technically called a bibling—on which occasions the Bible-Clerk introduces the victim; four being the sum of a less terrible operation called a 'scrubbing.'
Bibling-Rod, subs. (Winchester
College).—The instrument with
which a bibling (q.v.) was
administered. It consisted of
a handle with four apple twigs
in the end, twisted together.
It is represented on 'Aut Disce.'
It was invented and first used
by Warden Baker in 1454. It
is not used now.
Bibling Under Nail, subs. phr.
(Winchester College).—A bibling
(q.v.) administered for
very heinous offences after an
offender had stood under nail
(q.v.).—See quot. in Bibler
under nail.
Biddy, subs. (old).—1. A chicken;
sometimes chick-a-biddy.
Hence, figuratively.
2. (familiar.)—A young woman, not necessarily Irish. In both these senses the word appears in Grose [1785]. Since that time it would seem to have changed somewhat in meaning as follows.
3. (familiar.)—A woman, whether young or old.
1868. O. W. Holmes, Guardian Angel, ch. xxviii., p. 233 (Rose Lib.). 'Don't trouble yourself about Kitty Fagan, for pity's sake, Mr. Bradshaw. The biddies are all alike, and they're all as stupid as owls, except when you tell 'em just what to do, and how to do it. A pack of priest-ridden fools!'
1887. Cornhill Mag., May, p. 510. How he gave to one old biddy 'five guineas to buy a jack,' and to another substantial help towards her boy's schooling.
4. (Winchester College.)—See Bidet.
5. (American.)—A servant girl—generally Irish.
Bidet, or Biddy, subs. (Winchester
College).—A bath. Juniors fill
these for Præfect. The Winchester
term is the French word
bidet, the name given to the low
narrow bedroom bathing stools,
used principally by women, but
more frequently on the Continent
than in England. They are
of such a shape that they can
be bestridden. In this connection
it may be mentioned, that
in French bidet also signifies
'a small horse' or 'pony.'
1785. Grose, Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. Bidet, commonly pronounced biddy, a kind of tub, contrived for ladies to wash themselves, for which purpose they bestride it like a little French pony or post horse, called in France bidets.
Bien.—See Bene.
Biff, subs. (American).—A blow.
'To give [one] a biff in the
jaw'; Anglicé, 'to wipe one in
the chops.' Cf., Bang, and for
synonyms, see Dig.
Biffin, subs. (familiar).—'My biffin!'
i.e., 'my pal!' A biffin
is properly a dried apple: Norfolk
biffins especially are considered
great delicacies.
Big. To talk or look big, phr.
(familiar).—To assume a pompous
style or manner with a
view to impressing others with
a sense of one's importance; to
