VII. Their office was to stand near the bouffet, or
cupboard, thence called Bouffetiers, since corrupted to Beef
Eaters. Others suppose they obtained this name from the
size of their persons, and the easiness of their duty, as
having scarce more to do than to eat the king's beef.

BEETLE-BROWED. One having thick projecting eyebrows.

BEETLE-HEADED. Dull, stupid.

BEGGAR MAKER. A publican, or ale-house keeper.

BEGGAR'S BULLETS. Stones. The beggar's bullets began
to fly, i.e. they began to throw stones.

BEILBY'S BALL. He will dance at Beilby's ball, where the
sheriff pays the music; he will be hanged. Who Mr.
Beilby was, or why that ceremony was so called, remains
with the quadrature of the circle, the discovery of the
philosopher's stone, and divers other desiderata yet
undiscovered.

BELCH. All sorts of beer; that liquor being apt to cause
eructation.

BELCHER. A red silk handkerchief, intermixed with yellow
and a little black. The kiddey flashes his belcher; the
young fellow wears a silk handkerchief round his neck.

BELL, BOOK, AND CANDLE. They cursed him with bell,