To bear the Bell (Grose 1811 Dictionary)

To bear the Bell

To excel or surpass all competitors, to be the principal in a body or society; an allusion to the fore horse or leader of a team, whose harness is commonly ornamented with a bell or bells. Some suppose it a term borrowed from an ancient tournament, where the victorious knights bore away the belle or fair lady. Others derive it from a horse-race, or other rural contentions, where bells were frequently given as prizes.

Definition taken from The 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, originally by Francis Grose.

Bell * Bellows

Nearby

Nathan Bailey's 1736 Dictionary of canting and thieving slang

John S. Farmer's collection of canting songs and slang rhymes

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Beef
Beef Eater
Beetle-browed
Beetle-headed
Beggar Maker
Beggar’s Bullets
Beilby’s Ball
Belch
Belcher
Bell
To bear the Bell
Bellows
Bellower
Bellowser
Belly
Bellyfull
Belly Cheat
Belly Plea
Belly Timber
Bell Swagger
Bell Wether