(The), subs. phr. (common).—1. The A, B, C (= Alphabetical) Railway Guide.
2. (London).—An establishment of the Aërated Bread Company: orig. bakers, now refreshment caterers. Hence A.B.C.-GIRL = a waitress therein.
3. (Christ’s Hospital).—Ale, Bread and Cheese on ‘going home night.’
4. (old).—Generic for beginnings. Thus, LIKE (or AS EASY AS) A B C = facile, as simple as learning the alphabet; DOWN TO THE A B C = down to first principles, or the simplest rudiments.
1595. SHAKESPEARE, King John, i. 1. 196. And then comes answer LIKE AN ABSEY BOOK.
1899. R. WHITEING, No. 5 John Street, iv. He lacks everything—clothing, flesh to hang it on, all the amenities, presumptively, DOWN TO THE A B C.
5. (venery).—The female pudendum: see MONOSYLLABLE.
