Schele De Vere Americanisms 136: In other parts of the Union it is represented by a term which has come from the West Indies. 75: A bit is the smallest coin in Jamaica, equal to 6d. Northup Twelve Years A Slave 172: Potatoes are worth from two to three ‘bits,’ or shillings a barrel. Picayune (1847) 47: ‘What do you give?’ ‘Ten bits a day.’. Foulks Eighteen Months in Jamaica 32: The lower order of speculators is contented with ‘tossing up’ a bit, a ten-pence, or a macaroni.ĭ. Mathews Willshire Squeeze 30: And with bent knees, said if you please, / ’Tis six bits and a half A bit is the twelth-part of a dollar. the smallest current coin in the West Indies.īanquet of Wit 59: A bit in Barbadoes, is a piece of money valued at 7d. In the West Indies, it is the least piece of silver coin, which goes current at 7 pence halfpenny. Ward ‘A Trip to Jamaica’ in Writings (1704) 166: Nasty Claret, Half a Crown Rhenish Five Shillings: And their best Canary, Ten Bits, or Six and Three Pence.ĭyche & Pardon A New General Eng. 1698 the bit is 7.5d., thus ten bits = 75d. (b) the silver coin of the lowest denomination in cit. Thomas Down These Mean Streets (1970) 9: I remember the hard work and the very little bit we had, but it was a good little bit. Maclaren-Ross ‘The Dark Diceman’ in Bitten by the Tarantula (2005) 212: He’d probably a bit put by and it was as well to keep on the right side. Īde Hand-made Fables 146: He had seen the Ponies come scooting into the Home Chute, and then he had hurried in to mace his Bit from Ikey. Sport (Adelaide) 15 June 6/1: They say Johnny sits behind a nice dry bit and could live in Easy Street for the rest of his natural. Bronson-Howard Enemy to Society 37: By th’ time you get through slippin’ it to coppers and politicians, you ain’t got much left for your bit. Lawson ‘Bound for the Lord-Knows-Where’ in Roderick (1967–9) II 197: ‘We have made a hit,’ or ‘we’ve made a bit,’ / And we’re bound for the lord-knows-where. Rook Hooligan Nights 178: Reckon ’e makes ’is little bit awright. Sims Dagonet Ballads 18: He’d made a bit at the farmin’, and was counted as well to do.Ĭ. Manchester Courier 29 June 2/3: Here are a couple of rum coves coming up if you work the finger toppers well we shall touch the bit. The cove turned quickly round to make a snatch at him.Įgan Finish to the Adventures of Tom and Jerry (1889) 310: To prevent mistakes respecting my bit, I have not a bit to leave it having been with me, for some time past – pockets to let, unfurnished. 23: Barney made a very unceremonious flip at the bit. ‘One of the Fancy’ Tom Crib’s Memorial to Congress 37: To share the spoil and grab the bit.ĭ. 3/3: A lucky bit will pay each debt, / And make you rich beside, Sir. ‘The Dustman’s Delight’ in Holloway & Black (1975) I 87: The queer cull was done rumly and touched for his bit. ‘Mount’s Flash Song upon himself’ Confessions of Thomas Mount 22: Tommy, tip me the bit, he said, / And I’m the cove that’ll bring you thro’. Parker Life’s Painter 141: I have done one cull twice for his cligh and bit if you’ll hold his smiters up, and I should see him again to-morrow, I’ll do him out and out. ‘The Dog and Duck Rig’ in Holloway & Black (1975) I 79: She will laugh whilst you’ve bit to get mellow. Poulter Discoveries (1774) 30: The Files go before the Cull, and try his Cly and if they feel a Bit, cry Gammon. Hitchin Regulator 20: A Bit or Truff, alias Purse. Walker Detection of Vyle and Detestable Use of Dice Play 30: He hath gotten a new chain, fyer new apparel, and some store of byte.ĭekker Belman of London E4: Before he play what store of Bit, he hath in his Bay, that is what money he hath in his purse, and whether it be in great Cogges or small that is, in gold or silver.Ĭ.
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