BENISON. The beggar's benison: May your ***** and purse never fail you. BERMUDAS. A cant name for certain places in London, privileged against arrests, like the Mint in Southwark, Ben. Jonson. These privileges are abolished. BESS, or BETTY. A small instrument used by house-breakers to force open doors. Bring bess and glym; bring the instrument to force the door, and the dark lantern. Small flasks, like those for Florence wine, are also called betties. BESS. See BROWN BESS. BEST. To the best in Christendom: i.e. the best **** in Christendom; a health formerly much in vogue. BET. A wager.--TO BET. To lay a wager. BETTY MARTIN. That's my eye, Betty Martin; an answer to any one that attempts to impose or humbug. BETWATTLED. Surprised, confounded, out of one's senses; also bewrayed. BEVER. An afternoon's luncheon; also a fine hat; beaver's fur making the best hats, BEVERAGE. Garnish money, or money for drink, demanded of any one having a new suit of clothes. BIBLE. A boatswain's great axe. Sea term. BIBLE OATH. Supposed by the vulgar to be more binding than an oath taken on the Testament only, as being the bigger book, and generally containing both the Old and New Testament. BIDDY, or CHICK-A-BIDDY. A chicken, and figuratively a young wench. BIDET, commonly pronounced BIDDY. A kind of tub, contrived for ladies to wash themselves, for which purpose they bestride it like a French poney, or post-horse, called in French bidets. BIENLY. Excellently. She wheedled so bienly; she coaxed or flattered so cleverly. French. BILL AT SIGHT. To pay a bill at sight; to be ready at all times for the venereal act. BILBOA. A sword. Bilboa in Spain was once famous for well-tempered blades: these are quoted by Falstaff, where he describes the manner in which he lay in the buck-basket. Bilboes, the stock; prison. Cant. TO BILK. To cheat. Let us bilk the rattling cove; let us cheat the hackney coachman of his fare. Cant. Bilking a coachman, a box-keeper, and a poor whore, were formerly, among men of the town, thought gallant actions. BILL OF SALE. A widow's weeds. See HOUSE TO LET. BILLINGSGATE LANGUAGE. Foul language, or abuse. Billingsgate is the market where the fishwomen assemble to purchase fish; and where, in their dealings and disputes, they are somewhat apt to leave decency and good manners a little on the left hand. BING. To go. Cant. Bing avast; get you gone. Binged avast in a darkmans; stole away in the night. Bing we to Rumeville: shall we go to London? BINGO. Brandy or other spirituous liquor. Cant. BINGO BOY. A dram drinker. Cant. BINGO MORT. A female dram drinker. Cant. BINNACLE WORD. A fine or affected word, which sailors jeeringly offer to chalk up on the binnacle. BIRD AND BABY. The sign of the eagle and child. BIRD-WITTED. Inconsiderate, thoughtless, easily imposed on. BIRDS OF A FEATHER. Rogues of the same gang.