It may be remarked that Ray [1674-91] gives bluff as to blindfold, and Bailey [1721] as to hoodwink. The German has blüffen; the Dutch bloffen, 'to bark at,' and verlüffen, 'to put out of countenance.'
So also bluffing in a similar sense.
1889. Answers, July 20, p. 121, col. 2. The youths evidently disagreed as to the nature of my business: one, as far as I could gather, assumed that I was a 'nark,' and that I was bluffing (making an excuse), and 'flamming' (lying).
Bluffer, subs. (old).—An innkeeper.—Grose.
Bailey [1721]
also gives the term with the
same meaning, and American
thieves still retain the word in
a similar sense.
2. (nautical.)—A bo'sun.
Blunderbuss, subs. (old).—A
stupid blundering fellow.—Grose.
Blunt, subs. (popular).—Money,
especially ready money. For a
long list of synonyms, see
Actual. [There are several
suggested derivations; (1) that
it is from the French blond,
sandy or golden colour, and
that a parallel may be found
in brown or browns, the
slang for halfpence. Far-fetched
as this etymology seems,
say Hotten, it may be correct,
as it is borne out by the analogy
of similar expressions. Cf.,
Blanquillo, a word used in
Morocco and Southern Spain
for a small Moorish coin. The
'asper' ([Greek: a)/spro/n]) of Constantinople
is called by the Turks
akcheh, i.e., 'little white'; (2)
that it received its name in
allusion to the blunt rim of
coins. A third is that it received
the name from Mr. John Blunt,
the chairman of South Sea
Bubble.]
1714. Memoirs of John Hall (4 ed.), p. 11. [List of cant words.] Blunt, money.
1821. W. T. Moncrieff, Tom and Jerry, Act ii., Sc. 3. {Holding out his right hand for the money, and keeping the porter away with the other.) Bob. That's your sort; give us hold on it. (Takes Mace's empty hand.) Vy, vhere? Mace. (Keeping the porter back.) Vy, here. Bob. Oh, you are afeard of the blunt, are you? Mace. No, it ain't that; only I'm no schollard—so I alvays takes the blunt vith von hand, and gives the pot vith t'other. It saves chalk and prewents mistakes, you know.
1837. Dickens, Oliver Twist, ch. xxxix. 'It's all very well,' said Mr. Sikes; 'but I must have some blunt from you to-night.' 'I haven't a piece of coin about me,' replied the Jew.
1878. Notes and Queries, 5 S., x., p. 315. Blunt . . . is also a well-known slang term for money.
1882. Punch, vol. LXXXII., p. 147, col. 2. 'The New Almacks.' 'It appears, my dear Jerry,' said the Corinthian, 'that anybody can enter here who chooses to "sport his blunt"'—that is, to pay.
Blunted, ppl. adj. (old).—Possessed
of money.
18(?). English Spy, p. 255. Most noble cracks, and worthy cousin trumps,—permit me to introduce a brother of the togati, fresh as a new-*blown rose, and innocent as the lilies of St. Clements. Be unto him ever ready to promote his wishes, whether for spree or sport, in term and out of term,—against the Inquisition and their bull-*dogs—the town-raff and the bargees—well-blunted or stiver-cramped—against dun or don—nob or big wig—so may you never want a bumper of bishop.
Blush like a Black or Blue Dog,
verbal phr. (old).—Not to blush
at all.
1579. Gosson, Apologie of School of Abuse, p. 75. If it bee my fortune too meete with the learned woorkes of this London Sabinus, that can not playe the
