[Cf. BLUE-BONNET.]
1. A cap of blue material; formerly worn by servants and tradesmen (see BLUE a. 5 c.); the ‘blue bonnet’ of Scotchmen. Also attrib.
1674. Flatman, Belly God, 114. The Kentish Pippin’s best, I dare be bold, That ever blew-cap Costard-monger sold.
2. transf. One who wears this head-dress; † a Scotchman, a BLUE-BONNET (obs.).
1596. Shaks., 1 Hen. IV., II. iv. 392. Well, hee is there too, and one Mordake, and a thousand blew-Cappes more.
1627. E. F., Hist. Edw. II. (1680), 39 (D.). A rabble multitude of despised Blue-caps encounter, rout, and break the Flower of England.
1663. in Select. Harl. Misc. (1793), 367. The precipitate blue-cap … would needs fall upon them at Dunbar.
3. dial. A salmon in its first year, a grilse; so called because it has a blue spot on its head.
1677. in Ray’s Corr. (1848), 127. These [salmon] have a broad blue spot on their heads, and are therefore called Blue-caps.
1865. Couch, Brit. Fishes, IV. 220. In the west of the Kingdom the name of Blue cap is applied by some fishermen to the Salmon in the first year of its growth.
4. The Blue Titmouse (Parus cæruleus).
1804. Wordsw., Kitten & Falling L., 64. Where is he that giddy sprite, Blue-cap with his colours bright, Who was blest as bird could be.
1837. Macgillivray, Hist. Brit. Birds, II. 431. Blue Titmouse…. Blue-cap. Blue-bonnet. [etc.].
5. The Blue Corn-flower; = BLUE BONNET 3.
1821. Clare, Vill. Minstr., II. 131. Till summer’s blue-caps blossom mid the corn.
6. A kind of ale.
1822. Kitchiner, Cook’s Oracle, 60. The Irishman loves Usquebaugh, the Scot loves Ale called Blue-Cap.
† 7. A kind of stone. Obs.
1679. Plot, Staffordsh. (1686), 158. A sort of stone from its colour call’d blew-cap, good for nothing.
