Page:Farmer - Slang and its analogues past and present - Volume 1.pdf/249

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patients sick. They won't want no physic when they sees your mug.'

Blindo, verb (military).—To die. For synonyms, see Aloft.

Blind One's Trail, verbal phr. (American).—Figuratively, to remove the traces of one's actions; to conceal one's intentions. This expression is obviously traceable to the days of Indian warfare, when even the lives of those engaged often depended upon the success with which the trail could be 'blinded,' or obliterated. Also TO TRASH ONE'S TRAIL (q.v.).

Blind Side, subs. (familiar).—The blind side of a person or thing is that which is weakest; the most assailable side. The expression is much older than the example quoted by Murray [1655].

1606. Chapman, Gentleman Usher, Act i., p. 79 (Plays, 1874).

For that, we'll follow the BLIND SIDE of him, And make it sometimes subject of our mirth.

1663. Dryden, Wild Gallant, Act iii. Con. My father's credulous, and this rogue has found the BLIND SIDE of him.

1742. Fielding, Joseph Andrews, bk. III., ch. v. Indeed, if this good man had an enthusiasm, or what the vulgar call a BLIND SIDE, it was this,—he thought a schoolmaster the greatest character in the world, and himself the greatest of all schoolmasters.

1820. Lamb, Elia (Mrs. Battle). All people have their BLIND SIDE—their superstitions.

Blink, verb (American).—To drink. [Probably of humorous origin, similar to SMILE (q.v).—and alluding to a wink or BLINK exchanged between friends and comrades before drinking. A frequent toast is 'I look towards you,' and the transference of sense in such a phrase as 'I wink' or 'BLINK to you,' and then the use of to BLINK for 'to drink' is easy enough. Cf., also To Go Out and See A Man.]

Blinker, subs. (popular).—1. The eye. [From BLINK, to move the eyelids, to wink; Cf., Winkers; Peepers; Optics, etc.] For synonyms, see Glims.

1816. Quiz, Grand Master, I., ii. A patent pair of goggle winkers, Conceal'd from public view his BLINKERS. [M.]

1888. American Humorist. 'Blank Your Blinkers,' angrily retorted Brudee, 'your business was not to fight, but show us the enemy.'

2. (common.)—pl. Spectacles. For synonyms, see Barnacles.

1732. M. Green, Grotto, 10. Bigots who but one way see through BLINKERS of authority. [m.]

1803. Bristed, Pedest. Tour, I., 38. A little fellow, with BLINKERS over his eyes. [m.]

1851. Thackeray, Eng. Hum., IV. (1858), 205. Who only dare to look up at life through BLINKERS. [m.]

3. (provincial.)—In Norfolk, a black eye.

4. (pugilistic.)—A hard blow in the eye.

Blank your blinkers.—A euphemistic oath, equivalent to the more common 'D——n your eyes.'—See Oaths.

Blink-Fencer, subs. (thieves').—A person who sells spectacles. [From BLINK, a contracted form of 'blinkers,' spectacles + FENCE, primarily a receiver of stolen goods, but also applied to a tradesman of any kind, + ER.]