3. (common and schools'.)—A schoolmaster.
4. (American.)—To humbug by flattery.
Brushing up a flat, phr. (general).—Using mealy-mouthed words, or, to employ other slang equivalents, 'laying it on thick,' 'soft soaping one.'
Brute, subs. (University).—See quot.
1868. Brewer, Phrase and Fable, s. v. Brute, in Cambridge University slang, is a man who has not yet matriculated. The play is evident. A 'man,' in college phrase, is a collegian; and as matriculation is the sign and seal of acceptance, a scholar before that ceremony is not a 'man,' and therefore only a 'biped brute.'
Brydport dagger.—See Bridport dagger.
B. T. I., phr. (American).—An abbreviation of a big thing on ice. These curtailments of slang phrases are not infrequent in America, and among others may be mentioned p.d.q.; o.k.; n.g. and q.k., etc. (q.v.).
Bub, subs. (old).—1. Strong drink of any kind, but usually applied to malt liquor. [It is suggested that this term is onamatopoetic, an imitation of the sound of drinking; others, however, incline to regard the word as a derivative of the Latin bib-[ve]re, to drink. Sometimes spelt bubb.] A common expression for eating and drinking is 'to take bub and grub,' a French equivalent for which is se caresser l'Angoulême.
1671. R. Head, English Rogue, pt. I., ch. iv., p. 36 (1874). In a short time these four return'd laden with bub and food.
1748. Dodsley, Collection of Poems, III., 262.
Tho' beef twice boil'd his meal, with P—n's bub, And sixpence chang'd defrays the frugal club.
1839. H. Ainsworth, Jack Sheppard, ep. II., ch. xi. 'Och! many a mug o' bubb have I drained wi' the landlord.'
2. (common.)—A woman's breast; generally used in the plural—bubbies (q.v.).
3. (old.)—A brother.
4. (American.)—Also bubby. A term of affection applied to a little boy. [Said to have originated in Pennsylvania from the German Bube.] Likewise used figuratively as a familiar mode of address.
1872. S. Clemens ('Mark Twain'), Roughing It. The cayote turns smiles blandly upon him once more, and with a something about it which seems to say: 'Well, I shall have to tear myself away from you, bub—business is business, and it will not do for me to be fooling along this way all day.'
1888. San Francisco Weekly Examiner. When she was ready to go home, she did so without carriage or baby. Shortly after bubby kicked up high jinks, and the joker clerk was sent for to take him away.
5. (old.)—An abbreviated form of bubble, subs.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew. Bub or bubble, one that is cheated. [m.]
Verb (old).—1. To drink.—See substantive.
1671. R. Head, English Rogue, pt. I., ch. vi., p. 54 (1874). We straight betook ourselves to the Boozing Ken; and having bubb'd rumly, we concluded an everlasting friendship.
2. (old.)—To bribe; to cheat. Cf., Bubble.
1719. D'Urfey, Pills, II., 54. Another makes Racing a Trade. . . . And many a Crimp Match has made, By bubbing another Man's Groom.
