1532. Use of Dice Play (Percy Society). Now waxen is he so proud of his gain, because he hath gotten a new chain, fyer new apparel, and some store of BYTE.
1592. GREENE, The Defence of Conny-catching, in Works, XI., 44. So some that would not stoope a farthing at cardes, would venter all the BYTE in their boung at dice.
1607. DEKKER, Jests to Make You Merie, in wks. (Grosart), II., 328. If they follow you in the street, and once know where the bung and the BIT is, as much as to say your purse and the money.
1608. DEKKER, The Belman of London, in wks. (Grosart), III., 122. To learne before he play what store of BIT he hath in his Bay, that is, what money he hath in his pursse.
1789. G. PARKER, Life’s Painter, 149. Snack the BIT. To share the money.
1834. W. H. AINSWORTH, Rookwood, bk. III., ch. v. He is caught—he must ‘stand and deliver’; then out with the dummy [pocket book], and off with the BIT.
2. (colloquial).—A coin varying in value according to locality—usually, however, to the silver piece of the lowest denomination. Fourpenny pieces were called BITS until withdrawn from circulation, and in Demerara the term is in general use for the same coin; in America BIT = a 121/2 cent piece; a defaced 20 cent piece being a LONG BIT. A BIT is the smallest coin in Jamaica, equal to 6d.
1748. T. DYCHE, A New General English Dictionary (5 ed.). BIT (s.) … In the West Indies, it is the least piece of silver coin, which goes current at 7 pence half-penny.
1875. S. WILLIAMS, The City of the Golden Gate, in Scribner’s Monthly, x. July, 277. For a young city, San Francisco is very much wedded to petty traditions. It clings to the ‘BIT’ with a death-like tenacity; clings to it against all reason and against its own interests. The BIT is a mythical quantity. It is neither twelve and a-half cents, nor half of twenty-five; it is neither fifteen cents nor ten cents. If you buy a ‘BIT’S’ worth and throw down twenty-five cents, you get ten cents back; if you offer the same ten cents in lieu of a ‘BIT,’ you are looked upon as a mild sort of a swindler. And yet, the ‘BIT’ is the standard of minimum monetary value.
3. (common).—In disparagement—BITS of girls, BITS of children, BIT of a place, BIT OF ONE’S MIND = candid (and uncomplimentary) criticism, Expression of opinion etc. Originally, PIECE (see quot.).
1630. Mem. Sir R. Carey, 283. A good PIECE of a scholar.
4. See GREENS and infra.
5. (thieves’).—A term of imprisonment. Hence TO DO A BIT = to do TIME (q.v.).
1869. Temple Bar, xxvi, 75. The next BIT I did was a sixer.
A BIT ON (racing).—1. A stake; a bet.
1894. GEORGE MOORE, Esther Waters, ii. Oh, we did have a fine time then, for we all had a BIT ON.
1899. R. WHITEING, No. 5 John Street, xxi. He ‘does a BIT’ now and then in illegality.
1900. PERCY WHITE, The West End, 71. Said he, ‘it’s about a horse and important.’ ‘Oh, put a little BIT on for me, Dickie, there’s a dear! I lost a tenner over your last tip,’ said Mr. Delane.
2. (common).—Drunk: see SCREWED; also BIT. Hence, ‘he has BIT his grannum’ = he is very drunk. (B. E.)
A BIT OF SNUG (or STAFF), subs. phr. (venery).—1. The deed of kind: also a BEDWARD BIT. 2. The penis: see PRICK.
A BIT IN THE KNOW, subs. phr. (common).—Well-informed; up-to-date.
1897. MARSHALL, Pomes, 8, A Fleet-street ‘pro,’ who on Monday, being A BIT IN THE KNOW.
TO TAKE or GET THE BIT (or BRIDLE BETWEEN THE TEETH, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To run riot; to cast aside discretion, caution, or scruple; to do one’s will at all costs, or without consideration for others.
1546. HEYWOOD, Proverbs. TO TAKE THE BRIDLE IN THE TEETH.
THE DEVIL A BIT! phr. (old).—An exclamation of dissent: originally, THE DEVIL HAVE THE BIT that, etc.
1528. ROY and BARLOW, Rede me and be nott wrothe [ARBER], 65. Wat. The devil of [have] the WHIT that I can.
A BIT OFF. See OFF.
See BITE, verb.
A HAIR OF THE DOG THAT BIT YOU. See HAIR.
