1742. Walpole, Lett. to Mann (1833), No. 22, Feb. 18, vol. I., p. 106. The Tories declare against any farther prosecution—if Tories there are, for now one heard of nothing but the broad-bottom; it is the reigning cant word, and means, the taking all parties and people, indifferently, into the ministry.
1843. Macaulay, Historical Essays, II., p. 244. The Pelhams had forced the King, much against his will, to part with Lord Carteret . . . They proceeded, after this victory, to form the Government on that basis, called by the cant name of the 'broad-bottom.'
1863. Jeaffreson, Live It Down, I., p. 249. The star of Granville is falling, that of Pelham is in the ascendant; and the great coalition on 'The Br. B.' is managing the affairs of the State.
1871. Miss Braddon, Robert Ainsleigh, I., p. 37. A scathing reply from the polished chief of the famous Br. B. Administration.
1887. Pol. Slang, in Cornhill Mag., June, p. 628. A Coalition Government in the last century was known by the apt nickname of the 'Broad Bottom.'
Broadbrim, subs. (common).—A Quaker. [The origin of this expression is to be found in the hat once peculiar to the 'Society of Friends.' Hotten says the epithet is now used of any quiet, sedate, old man.]
1712. Spectator, No. 276. [Broadbrim is used as the name of a Quaker correspondent.]
1750. Fielding, Tom Jones, bk. VII., ch. x. This the Quaker had observed, and this, added to the rest of his behaviour, inspired honest broadbrim with a conceit that his companion was, in reality, out of his senses.
1864. Reader (quoted in Notes and Queries, 5 S., ix., p. 263). Broadbrim, a Quaker. This word clearly owes its origin to the peculiar hat worn by the Society of Friends.
1876. Jas. Grant, One of the Six Hundred, ch. i. The sly broad-brim, and popularity-hunters of the Peace Society sent a deputation to the Emperor Nicholas.
Broad-Cooper, subs. (brewers').—person employed by brewers to negotiate with publicans.
Broad Coves, subs. (old).—Card-sharpers. [From broads (q.v.), cards, + cove (q .v.), a man.] The modern term for swindling at cards is broad faking (q.v.). A French equivalent is un brêmeur. For synonyms, see Rook.
1821. W. T. Moncrieff, Tom and Jerry, Act ii., Sc. 5. Your swell broad coves, with all their airs Can't match the kids near Wapping stairs, They are so down and knowing; Of lowest life you'll see the best, At Maces's, All-max, in the East; So let's at once be going: Come, toddle along, toddle along, etc.
Broad-Faking, subs. (card-sharpers').—Playing at cards. Generally used, however, to denote 'work' of the three card and kindred descriptions.
Broad-Fencer, subs. (thieves').—A 'k'rect card' seller at races. [From broad (q.v.), a card, + fence or fencer, a 'trades-*man.']
Broads, subs. (general).—Playing cards.—See Stock broads.
1789. Geo. Parker, Life's Painter, p. 142. Who are continually looking out for flats, in order to do them upon the broads, that is cards.
1812. J. H. Vaux, Flash Dict. Broads, cards; a person expert at which is said to be a good broad-player.
1834. Harrison Ainsworth, Rookwood, IV., ii. I nick the broads.
1877. Five Years' Penal Servitude, ch. iv., p. 262. He . . . became one of a gang who practised with the broads card-sharping and the 'confidence trick.'
Broadsman, subs, (common).—A card-sharper. [From broads = cards + man.] Formerly called broad cove (q.v.). For synonyms, see Rook.
