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Bill of Health

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A clean bill of health. A document, duly signed by the proper authorities, to certify that when the ship set sail no infectious disorder existed in the place.

A foul bill of health is a document to show that the place was suffering from some infection when the ship set sail. If a captain cannot show a clean bill, he is supposed to have a foul one.

 

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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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Bigot and his Castle of Bungay
Bilbo
Bilboes
Bile
Bilge Water
Bilk
Bilker (A)
Bill (The)
Bill (A)
Bill of Fare (A)
Bill of Health
Bill of Lading
Bill of Pains and Penalties (A)
Bill of Quantities
Bill of Rights
Bill of Sale
Bills of Mortality
Bills of Parcels
Billee (Little)
Billet-doux [pronounce billy doo]
Billiards

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