Admiral of the Blue

A butcher who dresses in blue to conceal blood-stains. A tapster also is so called, from his blue apron. A play on the rear-admiral of the British navy, called “Admiral of the Blue (Flag).”

“As soon as customers begin to stir

The Admiral of the Blue cries, ‘Coming, Sir.ʹ”

Poor Robin, 1731.

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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