one. Shakspeare (see quot.) uses the expression 'a face of brass,' and even to this day brass, sense 1 (q.v.), is synonymous with impudence or 'cheek.'
1594. Shakspeare, Love's Labour Lost, v., 2. Biron. Thus pour the stars down plagues for perjury. Can any face of brass hold longer out?
1846. Thackeray, Vanity Fair, II., p. 12. He came in as bold as brass.
1854. Thackeray, Lovel the Widower, p. 195. 'A nursery governess at the wages of a housemaid' I continued, bold as Corinthian brass.
c. 1882. Broadside Ballad, 'Timothy Titus.' The name belongs to brave men, and I'm as bold as brass, I do not wear the lion's skin and show myself an ass; I'm full of pluck and can defy, like Ajax, anything, And if you put me to the test, a proof I soon can bring.
Boler, also Bowler, subs, (popular).—A
stiff felt hat. For synonyms,
see Cady.
1861. Sat. Review, Sept. 21, 297. We are informed that he . . . wore, or rather carried in his hand, a white bowler hat.
1882. Pebody, Eng. Journalism, xxi., 158. The ministers, in bowlers and pea-jackets, are to be found upon the shore of highland locks.
1889. Answers, June 8, p. 24. Most of the men were clothed in loud and greasy suits of tweed, and wore what are known as bowler hats, many of them much the worse for wear. The ladies affected fine and smart costumes, but as the greater part of their dresses had seen long months of service, the smartness was somewhat of the bedraggled order.
Bolly, subs. (Marlborough College).—Pudding.
Bolt, subs, (old).—The throat.
[This curious term would seem
to be derived from bolt = to
gulp down.]
1821. W. T. Moncrieff, Tom and Jerry, Act iii., Sc. 3. Tom. Here, Dusty, my prince, now then, sluice your bolt. (Gives Bob gin.) Bob. Vell, your honours, here's luck. (Bolts gin.) That's a regular kwortern, I knows by my mouth.
Verb (at one period slang, now recognised).—1. To escape; to leave suddenly. Bolt is an instance of a word which once orthodox, subsequently fell into disrepute, but which, after having for generations served as a mere slang term, is now nearly as respectable as when Dryden wrote: 'I have reflected on those who, from time to time, have shot into the world, some bolting out on the stage with vast applause, and others hissed off.' The following are a few examples of its use. For synonyms, see Amputate.
1668. Etherege, She Would if She Could, I., i. (1704), p. 94. Is he gone? Court. Ay, ay! you may venture to bolt now.
1712. Arbuthnot, Hist, of John Bull, pt. IV., ch. vi. Then, of a sudden, bolting into the room, he began to tell . . .
1752. Fielding, Amelia, bk. XI., ch. vii. In his way home, Booth was met by a lady in a chair, who immediately upon seeing him . . . bolted out of it.
1821. W. T. Moncrieff, Tom and Jerry, Act i., Sc, 7. Log. Come along, then. Now, Jerry, chivey! Jerry. Chivey? Log. Mizzle? Jerry. Mizzle? Log. Tip your rags a gallop! Jerry. Tip my rags a gallop? Log. Walk your trotters! Jerry. Walk my trotters? Log. Bolt! Jerry. Bolt? oh, aye! I'm fly now. You mean go.
1837. Barham, I. L. (M. of Venice). Jessy ransack'd the house, popp'd her breeks on, and when so Disguis'd, bolted off with her beau—one Lorenzo.
1843. Dickens, Martin Chuzzlewit, ch. ix., p. 90. He was more strongly tempted . . . to make excursive bolts into the neighbouring alleys when he answered the door.
2. (American.)—The usage in the United States indicates the
