1870. Popular Song on Franco-German War.
. . . Thank God, my dear Augusta, We've had another awful buster, Ten thousand Frenchmen sent below, Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
c. 1880. Broadside Ballad, 'I'll never go courting again.'
A lawyer's niece, next, I admired, But brief he made my wooing spec; To a banker's ward then, I aspired, But got from the banker a check (cheque). A publican said, other measures For his girl he'd to carry out, And a baker he gave me a 'buster,' With a 'brick,' sent me rolling about.
4. (Australian.)—A heavy storm from the south. Otherwise called in Sydney a brick fielder (q.v.).
1885. Household Words, 10 Oct., p. 463. In anxious expectation we now awaited the result of this curious phenomenon of darkest night in day, which, accustomed to the portents that sometimes herald in the terrific busters of these southern seas, as most of us were, all declared they had never seen it equalled.
Busting, verb, subs. (thieves'.)—Informing against accomplices; turning Queen's evidence. Cf., Bust, verb, sense 3. For synonyms, see Peaching.
Bustle, subs. (common).—1. A pad, roll, or wire contrivance worn by women at the back in order to extend the dress, and also with a view to setting off the smallness of the waist. [Origin uncertain.] For synonyms, see Birdcage.
1788. T. Monro, in Olla Podrida, No. 40. Such locks the nymphs now wear (in silks who rustle), In rich luxuriance reaching to the bustle. [m.]
1835. Sketches by Boz, p. 323. Whether she was pretty, whether she wore much bustle, etc. Ibid, p. 488. 'Did you ever,' said a little coquette with a large bustle.
1857. Trollope, Barchester Towers, ch. xlv., p. 384. Bertie finished off the countess's bustle.
2. (old.)—Money. A full list of synonyms will be found under Actual.
1812. J. H. Vaux, Flash Dictionary. Bustle, a cant term for money. Ibid. Any object effected very suddenly, or in a hurry, is said to be done on the bustle.
Verb (general).—To confuse; confound; perplex.—See previous quot.
1876. Hindley, Life and Adventures of a Cheap Jack, p. 237. 'Now bustle him,' said Tom Maley; 'you have got him to-rights now. Let go your left straight.'
Bust-Maker, subs. (common).—A molrower; a 'loose fish'; a seducer. For synonyms, see Molrower. [From bust, a protuberance, + maker.]
Busy-Sack, subs. (common).—A carpet bag. Called in America a grip-sack.
Butcher, subs. (cards').—1. The king in playing-cards. When card-playing in public houses was common, the kings were called butchers, the queens bitches, and the knaves jacks. The latter term is now in general use. In French slang the king is un bœuf.
2. (American.)—A peripatetic 'small-boy' vendor of 'varieties' and 'notions' on railway cars—at once a convenience and a 'terror.'
3. (thieves'.)—The prison doctor. For synonyms, see Crocus.
Butcher About, verb (Wellington College).—To make a great noise; to humbug about.
