subs. (nautical).—See quots.
1867. ADMIRAL SMYTH, Sailor’s Word-Book. BIBLE, a hand-axe; a small holy-stone [a kind of sand-stone used in cleaning decks], so called from seamen using them kneeling.
1883. W. C. RUSSELL, Sailors’ Language, 14. BIBLES. Small holy-stones, no doubt originally so called because they oblige those who use them to kneel. They are also termed ‘prayer books’ for the same reason.
2. (thieves’).—See quot.
1789. G. PARKER, Life’s Painter. Thieves who fly the blue pigeon, that is, who steal lead off houses, or cut pipes away … cut a hundredweight of lead, which they wrap round their bodies next to the skin. This they call a BIBLE (q.v.), and what they steal and put in their pockets, they call a TESTAMENT (q.v.).
THAT’S BIBLE, phr. (common).—That’s the truth; that’s A 1.
