Business End [of a thing], subs. (American).—The practical part.
Busk It, verb (vagrants').—To sell obscene songs and books at the bars and in the tap-rooms of public houses. Sometimes it implies selling other articles. Also to 'work' public houses and certain spots as an itinerant musician or vocalist. So also busking, verb subs. and ppl. adj. and busker, a man who thus sings and performs in public houses: an itinerant.
1851. Mayhew, London Labour and London Poor, III., p. 234. From a furniture-carter of this description I received some most shocking details of having to busk it, as this taking about goods for sale is called by those in the trade. Ibid, I., p. 229. They obtained a livelihood by busking, as it is termed, or in other words, by offering their goods for sale only at the bars or in the tap-rooms and parlours of taverns. Ibid, III., p. 216. Busking is going into public houses and playing and singing and dancing. Ibid, p. 222. I now thought I'd try what is termed busking, that is going into public houses and cutting likenesses of the company.
1883. Advt. in Echo, May 10, p. 4, col. 6. Busking.—A player on the harp and violin wants a mate.
1897. Referee, August 21, p. 3, col. 2. Mac himself . . . will appear in the Racecourse scene as a busker.
Busker.—See under Busk.
Busking.—See under Busk.
Busnapper.—See Buz-napper.
Busnapper's Kinchin.—See Buz-napper's Kinchin.
Buss.—See Bus.
Buss Beggar, subs. (old).—An old prostitute of the lowest type; a beggar's trull.
Bust, subs. (vulgar).—A corrupted form of burst. So also busting (adj.); busted (ppl. adj.), etc., etc.
1837. Dickens, Oliver Twist, p. 219. A kind of busting noise.
2. (thieves'.)—A burglary.
18(?79). Horsley, Jottings front Jail. 'Fatty Bill, from City Road, rem. for a bust ex. two years,' means that William . . . has been compelled to leave his congenial haunts in the City Road, as he is remanded for a burglary, and anticipates two years' hard labour.
3. (general.)—A frolic; a spree; a drunken debauch. Cf., To go on the bust.
1860. Bartlett (quoted in), A Californian Song.
And when we get our pockets full Of this bright, shinin' dust, We'll travel straight for home again, And spend it on a bust.
4. (American.)—A failure; a fizzle.
Verb (vulgar).—1. To burst; explode.
1838. Dickens, Nicholas Nickleby, II., p. 366. His genius would have busted.
1843. Dickens, Martin Chuzzlewit, I., p. 286. Keep cool, Jefferson . . . don't bust! Ibid, II., p. 124. If the biler of this vessel was Toe bust Sir. .. and Toe bust now, it would be a festival day in the calendar of despotism.
2. (thieves'.)—To commit a burglary.
3. (thieves'.)—To inform against an accomplice. A slang variant of 'split' (turn king's evidence, impeach). The person who does this splits or bursts the whole concern.
4. (American.)—To fail in business or transactions of any kind.
5. (general.)—To put out of breath; to 'wind.'
