Beeswing, the film which forms on the sides of bottles which contain good old port wine. This breaks up into small pieces in the process of decanting, and looks like BEES’ WINGS. Hence the term.
Beetle-Crusher, or SQUASHER, a large flat foot. The expression was made popular by being once used by Leech.
Beetle-Sticker, an entomologist.
Beggars’ Velvet, downy particles which accumulate under furniture from the negligence of housemaids. Otherwise called SLUTS’-WOOL.
Belcher, a blue bird’s-eye handkerchief.—See [BILLY].
Bell, a song. Tramps’ term. Simply diminutive of BELLOW.
Bellows, the lungs. Bellowser, a blow in the “wind,” or pit of the stomach, taking one’s breath away.
Bellowsed, or LAGGED, transported.
Bellows to Mend, a person out of breath; especially a pugilist is said to be “BELLOWS TO MEND” when winded. With the P.R., the word has fallen into desuetude.
Belly-Timber, food, or “grub.”