Blade, a man—in ancient times the term for a soldier; “knowing BLADE,” a wide-awake, sharp, or cunning man.
Blarney, flattery, powers of persuasion. A castle in the county of Cork. It is said that whoever kisses a certain stone in this castle will be able to persuade others of whatever he or she pleases. The name of the castle is derived from BLADH, a blossom, i.e., the flowery or fertile demesne. Bladh is also flattery; hence the connexion. A more than ordinarily persuasive Irishman is said to have “kissed the BLARNEY stone.”
Blast, to curse. Originally a Military expression.
Blaze, to leave trace purposely of one’s way in a forest or unknown path by marking trees or other objects.
Blazes, a low synonym for the infernal regions, and now almost for anything. “Like BLAZES” is a phrase of intensification applied without any reference to the original meaning. Also applied to the brilliant habiliments of flunkeys, since the episode of Sam Weller and the “swarry.”
Bleed, to victimize, or extract money from a person, to sponge on, to make suffer vindictively.
Blest, a vow; “BLEST if I’ll do it,” i.e., I am determined not to do it; euphemism for CURST.
Blether, to bother, to annoy, to pester. “A BLETHERING old nuisance” is a common expression for a garrulous old person.
Blew, or BLOW, to inform, or peach, to lose or spend money.