“A woman, a whelp, and a walnut tree,
The more you BASH ’em, the better they be.”
The word BASH, among thieves, signifies to flog with the cat or birch. The worst that can happen to a brutal ruffian is to receive “a BASHING in, and a BASHING out,”—a flogging at the commencement and another at the close of his term of enforced virtue.
Baste, to beat, properly to pour gravy on roasting meat to keep it from burning, and add to its flavour. Also a sewing term.
Bastile, the workhouse. General name for “the Union” amongst the lower orders of the North. Formerly used to denote a prison, or “lock-up;” but its abbreviated form, STEEL, is now the favourite expression with the dangerous classes, some of whom have never heard of BASTILE, familiar as they are with “steel.”
Bat, “on his own BAT,” on his own account. Evident modification of the cricket term, “off his own bat,” though not connected therewith.—See [HOOK].
Bat, to take an innings at cricket. To “carry out one’s BAT” is to be last in, i.e., to be “not out.” A man’s individual score is said to be made “off his own BAT.”
Bat, pace at walking or running. As, “He went off at a good BAT.”
Bats, a pair of bad boots.
Battells, the weekly bills at Oxford. Probably originally wooden tallies, and so a diminutive of bâton.—University.