Chapter Barker to Barratry of B by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Barker to Barratry

Barker A pistol, which barks or makes a loud report.

Barktan The famous black stone in the eastern corner of the Kaaba; it is 4.5 feet in length, and is surrounded with a circle of gold. The legend is that when Abraham wished to build the Kaaba, the stones came to him of their own accord, and the patriarch commanded all the faithful to kiss the Barktan.

Barlaham A hermit who converted Josaphat, an Indian prince. This German romance, entitled Barlaham and Josaphat , was immensely popular in the Middle Ages. It was written by Rudolf of Ems (13th century).

Barley To cry barley. To ask for truce (in children's games). Query, a corruption of parley.

"A proper lad o' his quarters, that will not cry barley in a brulzïe." - Sir W. Scott: Waverley , xiii.

Barley- bree Barley-broth; that is, malt liquor brewed from barley (Scotch).

"The cock may craw, the day may daw,
And aye we'll taste the barley-bree." Burns: Willie Brew'd a Peck o' Maut.

Barley Cap To wear the barley cap. To be top-heavy or tipsy with barley-bree. The liquor got into the head.

Barleycorn John or Sir John Barleycorn. A personification of malt liquor. The term has been made popular by Robert Burns.

"Inspiring bold John Barleycorn,
What dangers thou canst make us scorn!" Burns: Tam o' Shanter, 105, 106.

Barley-mow A heap of barley housed, or where it is housed. (Anglo-Saxon, mowe, a heap; Italian, mucchio; Spanish, mucho.)

Barley Sugar Sugar boiled in a decoction of barley. It is not now made so, but with saffron, sugar, and water, flavoured with oil of citron, orange, or lemon.

"Barley sugar was prepared by boiling down ordinary sugar in a decoction of pearl-barley." - Knowledge (July 6th, 1883).

Barmecide (3 syl.) The word is used to express the uncertainty of things on which we set our heart. As the beggar looked forward to a feast, but found only empty dishes; so many a joy is found to be mere illusion when we come to partake of it.

"To-morrow! the mysterious unknown guest
Who cries aloud, "Remember Barmecide!
And tremble to be happy with the rest."" Longfellow.

Barmecide's Feast A feast where there is nothing to eat; any illusion. Barmecide asked Schacabac, a poor, starving wretch, to dinner, and set before him an empty plate. "How do you like your soup?" asked the merchant. "Excellently well," replied Schacabac. "Did you ever see whiter bread?" "Never, honourable sir," was the civil answer. Wine was then brought in, and Schacabac was pressed to drink, but excused himself by saying he was always quarrelsome in his cups. Being over-persuaded, he fell foul of his host, and was provided with food to his heart's content. (Arabian Nights: Barber's Sixth Brother.)

Barnabas St. Barnabas' Day, June 11. St. Barnabas was a fellow-labourer of St. Paul. His symbol is a rake, because the 11th of June is the time of hay-harvest.

Barnabites (3 syl.) An Order of monks, so called because the church of St. Barnabas, in Milan, was given to them to preach in. They are also called "Canons of St. Paul," because the original society made a point of reading St. Paul's Epistles.

Barnaby Lecturers Four lecturers in the University of Cambridge, elected annually on St. Barnabas' Day (June 11), to lecture on mathematics, philosophy, rhetoric, and logic.

Barnaby Rudge A half-witted lad whose companion is a raven. (Dickens: Barnaby Rudge.)