bold, if equivocal metaphors to which the West has given rise. The biggest toad in the puddle is the recognised leader or chief whether in politics, or in connection with the rougher avocations of pioneer life. Equivalent to the big dog with the brass collar (q.v.).—See also Big bug, and for synonyms generally, Great gun.
1848. J. R. Bartlett, Americanisms, p. 42. Biggest toad in the puddle. A Western expression for a head-man; a leader of a political party, or of a crowd. Not an elegant expression, though sometimes well applied. Thus a Western newspaper, in speaking of the most prominent man engaged in the political contest for one of the Presidential candidates before Congress, says: 'Mr. D. D. F.—is the biggest toad in the puddle.'
Biggin, subs. (Winchester College).—A
coffee machine in two
parts—a strainer, and a coffee-pot
for the infusion. It took
its name from the inventor, a
Mr. Biggin, who received letters
patent 'some years' previous
to 1803. (Gent. Mag., lxxiii., p.
1094.)
Biggity, adv. (American).—Consequential;
giving oneself airs.
A negro term.
c. 1884. S. L. Clemens, Life on the Mississippi, p. 511. These railroads have made havoc with the steamboat commerce. The clerk of our boat was a steamboat clerk before these roads were built. In that day the influx of population was so great, and the freight business so heavy, that the boats were not able to keep up with the demands made upon their carrying capacity; consequently the Captain was very independent and airy—pretty biggity as Uncle Remus would say.
Big Gun, subs. (familiar).—A
person of consequence. Possibly
of sporting origin. For synonyms,
see Great gun.
1888. Texas Siftings, Oct. 13. 'Who's a big gun? You don't consider that insignificant ink-slinger across the way a big gun, do you?' 'My wife can hardly wait to get it out of the mail,' shouted Jones, desperately.
Big-Head. To have a big-head,
phr. (American).—1. To be
conceited; bumptious. Also
applied to men or youths who
are 'cocksure' of everything,
or affected in manner.—See also
Swell-head.
1848. J.R. Bartlett, Americanisms, p. 43. Boys who smoke cigars, chew tobacco, drink strong liquors, gamble, and treat their parents and superiors as their inferiors—of such a boy it is said, 'He has got the big-head.'
1888. Texas Siftings, Oct. 20. If we were to base our calculation upon the corpulency of his iron hat and helmet, we should say it was a case of big-head, while his legs were long as a pair of duplex pinchers, his arms like the fans of a windmill, his feet like the foot of Mont Blanc, while his digital annex is like an inverted ham.
2. The phrase also signifies the after effect of a debauch.
To get the big-head. To get drunk. For synonyms, see Screwed.
Big House, subs. (common).—The
workhouse,—a phrase used by
the very poor; sometimes
called the large house.
1851-61. H. Mayhew, London Lab. and Lon. Poor, vol. I., p. 52. 'As long as they kept out of the big house (the workhouse), she would not complain.' Ibid, II., p. 251. The men hate the thought of going to the big house.
Big Mouth, subs. (American).—Excessive
talkativeness; loquacity.
Cf., All mouth. For
synonyms, see Gas.
Big Nuts to Crack, subs. phr.
(American).—An undertaking of
