subs. (old).—A calf. [Probably a corruption of ‘bleater,’ from its cry.] Hence TO CRY BEEF ON A BLATER = to make a fuss about nothing.

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  1714.  Memoirs of John Hall (4 ed.), 11 [list of cant words in]. BLATER, a calf.

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  1827.  BULWER-LYTTON, Pelham, lxxxii. Don’t be glim-flashy; why you’d CRY BEEF ON A BLATER.

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