subs. (old cant).—‘A mark of Distinction among poor People; as Porters, Water-men, Parish-Pensioners, and Hospital-boys, Blew-coats and Badges being the ancient Liveries’ (B. E.). Hence BADGE-COVE (or -MAN) = a parish pensioner (GROSE).
1809. CRABBE, Tales, 16. With thick-set coat of BADGE-MAN’S blue.
TO HAVE ONE’S BADGE, verb. phr. (old).—To be burned in the hand: e.g., ‘He has got his BADGE and piked’ = He has been burned in the hand and set at liberty (GROSE).
