taken to racing? Why, you must be aware that he has no money for anything of that sort.'
Blood and Entrails, subs. (American).—The British ensign is so nicknamed by Yankee sailors; English salts return the compliment by jokingly speaking of the American flag as the gridiron and doughboys (q.v.).
Blood and Thunder, subs. (common).—A beverage of port wine and brandy mixed. Port is the blood, from its colour; brandy the thunder—the combined effects being, it is held, provocative of 'thundering' head-*aches.
Blood and Thunder Tales, subs. phr. (originally American, now common).—Low class fiction, the term being generally applied to works dealing with the exploits of desperadoes, cut-throats, and other criminals. Also called Awfuls, Penny dreadfuls, Gutter literature, Shilling shockers, etc., all of which see for further illustrations.
1876. Portland Transcript, May. Here let me say one word to the Transcript mothers. Look carefully to your child's reading matter. Beware of the cheap, trashy romances, the blood and thunder tales by Tom, Dick and Harry, which fill the counters of so many of our bookstores.
1883. Daily News, March 26, p. 2, col. 3. The blood and thunder tragedies generally associated with the transpontine drama.
Blood-an'-'Ouns, phr. (old).—An abbreviated form of an old and blasphemous oath—'God's blood and wounds!'
1839. Harrison Ainsworth, Jack Sheppard [1889], p. 58. 'Och! if he's a friend o' yours, my dear joy, there's no more to be said; and right sorry am I I struck him. But, blood-an'-'ouns! man, if ould Nick himself were to hit me a blow, I'd be afther givin' him another.'
Blood-Curdler or Blood-Freezer, subs. (common).—A narration or incident which 'makes the flesh creep'; that which stirs one's feelings strongly, and generally repulsively. Said of a sensational murder, a thrilling ghost-story, etc. Cf., Blood and thunder tales.
Blood for Blood, phr. (trade).—When tradesmen exchange wares, setting the cost of one kind off against another instead of making payment in currency, they are said to give blood for blood. Cf., Blood. (1) the vital fluid; (2) money—hence applied to that upon the sale of which a man is dependent for a livelihood.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum. A hatter furnishing a hosier with a hat, and taking payment in stockings, is said to deal blood for blood.
Blood-Freezer,—See Blood-Curdler.
Blood-Red Fancy, subs. (pugilistic).—A particular kind of handkerchief sometimes worn by pugilists and frequenters of prize fights.—See Billy.
1857. Snowden, Mag. Assistant, 3 ed., p. 446. Red silk handkerchief. Blood-red fancy.
Blood Suckers, subs. (military).—The Sixty-third Regiment of Foot.
Blood-Tub, subs. (American).—A rowdy; a blustering bully; a rough. This nickname was peculiar to Baltimore, which city,
