~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.
~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.
~Butter~, or BATTER, praise or flattery. To BUTTER, to flatter, cajole. Same as "soft soap" and "soft sawder." Soft words generally. Maybe from the old proverb, "Fine words butter no parsneps."
~Butter-Fingered~, apt to let things fall; greasy or slippery-fingered.
~Button~, a decoy, sham purchaser, &c. At any mock or sham auction seedy specimens may be seen. Probably from the connexion of buttons with Brummagem, which is often used as a synonym for a sham.--_See_ BONNET.
~Buttoner~, a man who entices another to play.
~Buttons~, a page,--from the rows of gilt buttons which adorn his jacket.
~Buttons~, "not to have all one's BUTTONS;" to be deficient in intellect. To "make BUTTONS" means for some occult reason to look sorry and sad. "He was making BUTTONS," _i.e._, he was looking sorrowful. Perhaps because button-making is a sorry occupation.
~Butty~, a word used in the mining districts to denote a kind of overseer. Also used by the Royal Marines in the sense of comrade; a policeman's assistant, one of the staff in a _mêlée_.
~Buz~, to share equally the last of a bottle of wine, when there is not enough for a full glass to each of the party.