Busker, a man who sings or performs in a public-house; an itinerant.
Bust, or BURST, to tell tales, to SPLIT, to inform. Busting, informing against accomplices when in custody.
Buster (BURSTER), a small new loaf; “twopenny BUSTER,” a twopenny loaf. “A penn’orth o’ BEES-WAX (cheese) and a penny BUSTER,” a common snack at beershops. A halfpenny loaf is called a “starver.”
Buster, an extra size; “what a BUSTER,” i.e., what a large one; “in for a BUSTER,” determined on an extensive frolic or spree. Scotch, BUSTUOUS; Icelandic, BOSTRA.
Bustle, money; “to draw the BUSTLE.”
Busy-Sack, a carpet-bag.
Butcha, a Hindoo word in use among Englishmen for the young of any animal. In England we ask after the children; in India the health of the BUTCHAS is tenderly inquired for.
Butcher, 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.
Butcher’s Mourning, a white hat with a black mourning hatband. Probably because, under any circumstances, a butcher would rather not wear a black hat. White hats and black bands have, however, become genteel ever since the late Prince Consort patronized them, though they retain a deal of the old sporting leaven.