Bos-Ken, a farmhouse. Ancient.—See [KEN].
Bosky, inebriated. Not much in use now.
Bosman, a farmer: “faking a BOSMAN on the main toby,” robbing a farmer on the highway. Boss, a master.—American. Both terms from the Dutch, BOSCH-MAN, one who lives in the woods; otherwise Boschjeman, or Bushman.
Boss-Eyed, said of a person with one eye, or rather with one eye injured, a person with an obliquity of vision. In this sense sometimes varied by the term “swivel-eyed.”
Bostruchyzer, a small kind of comb for curling the whiskers.—Oxford University.
Botany Bay, Worcester Coll. Oxon., so called from its remote situation.
Bother, trouble or annoyance. Any one oppressed with business cares is said to be BOTHERED. “Don’t BOTHER,” is a common expression. Blother, an old word, signifying to chatter idly.
Botheration! trouble, annoyance; “BOTHERATION to it!” “confound it!” or “deuce take it!”—an exclamation when irritated.
Bottle-Holder, originally a term in prize ring parlance for the second who took charge of the water-bottle, which was an essential feature in all pugilistic arrangements. This second used to hold the combatant on his knee between the rounds, while the other or principal second sponged, instructed, and advised; an abettor; also the bridegroom’s man at a wedding. Slang term for Lord Palmerston, derived from a speech he made some years ago when foreign secretary, in which he described himself as acting the part of a judicious BOTTLE-HOLDER among the foreign powers.