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Brewer's: Black Books

To be in my black books. In bad odour; in disgrace; out of favour. The black books were those compiled in the reign of Henry VIII. to set forth the scandalous proceedings of the English…

Brewer's: Black Brunswickers

A corps of 700 volunteer hussars under the command of Frederick William, Duke of Brunswick, who had been forbidden by Napoleon to succeed to his father's dukedom. They were called “Black…

Brewer's: Black Cap

or the Judgment Cap, worn by a judge when he passes sentence of death on a prisoner. This cap is part of the judge's full dress. The judges wear their black caps on November 9th, when the…

Brewer's: Black Cattle

Negro slaves. “She was chartered for the West Coast of Africa to trade with the natives, but not in black cattle, for slavery was never our line of business.” —J. Grant: Dick Rodney, chap…

Brewer's: Black Death

A putrid typhus, in which the body turned black with rapid putrefaction. It occurred in 1348, and carried off twenty-five millions in Europe alone, while in Asia and Africa the mortality…

Brewer's: Black Diamonds

Coals; also clever fellows of the lower orders. Coals and diamonds are both carbon. Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894Black DogBlack Death A B C D E F G…

Brewer's: Black Dog

A fiend still dreaded in many country places. (See Dog.) Black Dog. Base silver coin in the reign of Anne. Made of pewter double washed. Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E.…

Brewer's: Black Doll

(A ). The sign of a marine store shop. The doll was a dummy dressed to indicate that cast-off garments were bought. Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894Black…

Brewer's: Black Douglas

William Douglas, Lord of Nithsdale. Died 1390. Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894Black FlagBlack Doll A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S…

Brewer's: Black in the Face

Extremely angry. The face discoloured with passion or distress. “Mr. Winkle pulled ... till he was black in the face.” —Dickens: Pickwick Papers. “He swore himself black in the face.” —…