slang. [Of unknown origin: it has been plausibly conjectured to be a corruption of bonus. On the other hand, the modern variant bunts is treated as a plural of BUNT (q.v.), but the latter may be an erroneous form.] Money; gains; extra profit or gain, bonus; something to the good.
1719. D’Urfey, Pills, 278. If Cards came no better … Oh! oh! I shall lose all my Buns.
1812. J. H. Vaux, Flash Dict., Bunce, money.
1851. [see BUNT sb.7].
1865. Morning Star, 27 Jan. [Witness said] That there were 100 bags of rice … removed after the fire … and that they were ‘bunce.’ [Explained as ‘overs for the firm.’]
1879. Jamieson, Bunce. An exclamation used by boys at the High School of Edinburgh. When one finds anything, he who cries Bunce! has a claim to the half of it. Stick up for your bunce, ‘stand to it, claim your dividend.’
1880. Antrim & Down Gloss. (E. D. S.), Bunce, a consideration in the way of commission given to persons who bring together buyer and seller at a flax market. Perhaps a corruption of bonus.
