subs. (originally American, now general).—Business; employment; occupation. Good BIZ = profitable business.
1882. H. ADAMS, Democracy, vii. A number of gentlemen were waiting for interviews with the President, and among them was the whole Pennsylvania delegation, ‘ready for BIZ,’ as Mr. Tom Lord remarked, with a wink.
1884. The Saturday Review, 5 Jan., 13. 2. It is satisfactory to learn from the conductor of the circus that BIZ is very fair.
1889. Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday, Aug. 17, 262, 1. We understand, though we cannot vouch for the truth of the statement, that a New York lady, moving in the best society, while twisting some worsted, hit upon the idea of applying a little system of her own to a larger field than mere yarn, so she invented a machine for twisting wire rope, and has sold the patent for £10,000 and a royalty upon future sales. Very good BIZ, this, eh!
1897. MARSHALL, Pomes, 64. It will be much the best BIZ If you keep all your dreams in the family, Liz.
1902. The Sporting Times, 1 Feb., i. 4.
| She says for the lawyer there’ll soon be some BIZ, | |
| Because his ways ain’t her ways, and her ways ain’t his. |
