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Bill (The)

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The nose, also called the beak. Hence, “Billy” is slang for a pocket-handkerchief.

“Lastly came Winter, clothed all in frize,

Chattering his teeth for cold that did him chill;

Whilst on his hoary beard his breath did freeze;

And the dull drops that from his purple bill [nose],

As from a limbeck, did adown distill.”


Spenser: Faërie Quecene, canto vii.

 

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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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Bight
Bigorne
Bigot
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

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