Black cattle (old), parasites infesting the heads of uncleanly people.
Black cattle show (clerical), a gathering of clergy; e.g., Episcopal visitation, or garden-party.
Black coat (common), a clergyman, from the habitual sombreness of his attire. The French argot has corbeau for a priest, for the same reason.
Black diamonds (popular), a common simile for coal. Also, talented persons of dingy or unpolished exterior; rough jewels (Hotten).
Black disease (medical), the common name of more than one disease, as of black jaundice, and of melæna.
Black eye (common), "we gave the bottle a black eye," i.e., drank it almost up. "He cannot say 'black is the white of my eye,'" i.e., he cannot point out a blot in my character. (Nautical), "black's the white of my eye!" used when Jack avers that no one can say this or that of him. It is an indignant assertion of innocence of a charge. "Le ciel n'est pas plus pur que le fond de mon cœur!"
Blackfellow (Australian), an aboriginal, one of the native inhabitants of Australia. The first feature in the natives which struck the early settlers of Australia was their colour. It was natural for them to write of the blackfellows. At present the term is most used by whites "up the country," and by the aborigines themselves. Townspeople generally talk of "aboriginals."
I was one day at a country cricket match in Victoria. Two aboriginals were present. We were a man short, so we asked one of them to play for us. Both came into the pavilion, when the one who had been asked to play said to the other, "Blackfellow, you just clear out of this—this place for cricketers, not for blackfellows."—Douglas B. W. Sladen.
Black fly (country), a clergyman.
Black-foot (provincial), one who attends on a courting expedition, to bribe the servant, make friends with the sister, or put any friend off his guard. The French say of a man who favours love intrigues, that "il tient la chandelle."
Blackford, Blackford swell (London slang), a swell supposed to be in borrowed or hired plumage. It is common for roughs to cry Blackford! to a swell dressed up for the occasion. So called from an advertising tradesman well known as letting on hire suits of clothes by the day.
Said the teacher: "'And it came to pass that David rent his clothes.' Now what does that mean, boys, 'rent his clothes'?" Up went Benny's hand. "I tumble," says he, "Blackford."—Popular Song.
"He is seen everywhere about town I declare,
