subs. (colloquial).—1. The posteriors; not now in polite literary use: see BLIND-CHEEKS, and BUN.
1794–6. E. DARWIN, Zoonomia (1801), III., 353. So as to have his head and shoulders much lower than his BOTTOM.
1823–36. J. WILSON, Noctes Ambrosianæ, xxxix. (1864), iv., 79. The Dunghill cock … hides his head in a hole … unashamed of the exposure of his enormous BOTTOM.
1837. CARLYLE, The French Revolution, II., iv., i., 185. Patriot women take their hazel wands, and fustigate … broad BOTTOM of priests.
2. (colloquial).—Capital; resources; stamina; GRIT (q.v.).
1662. FULLER, Worthies (1840), II., 451. Beginning on a good BOTTOM left him by his father.
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. BOTTOM, a Man of no Bottom, of no Basis of Principles, or no settlement of Fortune, or of no Ground in his Art.
1747. CAPTN. J. GODFREY, A Treatise upon the Useful Science of Defence, 54. I have mentioned strength and art as the two ingredients of a boxer. But there is another, which is vastly necessary; that is, what we call a BOTTOM.… There are two things required to make this BOTTOM, that is, wind and spirit, or heart, or wherever you can fix the residence of courage.
1819. T. MOORE, Tom Crib’s Memorial to Congress, pref., xv. The peculiarities of this boxer discussed—his power of standing with his arms extended for two whole days, without any rest, by which means he wore out his adversaries’ BOTTOM, and conquered without either giving or taking.
1846. THACKERAY, Vanity Fair, II., xiv. He did not like to dine with Steyne now. They had run races of pleasure together in youth when Bareacres was the winner. But Steyne had more BOTTOM than he, and had lasted him out.
3. (common).—Spirit placed in a glass prior to the addition of water or other fluid: e.g., SODA AND DARK BOTTOM = soda and brown brandy; also as verb.
1854. MARTIN and AYTOUN, Bon Gaultier Ballads. ‘The Dirge of the Drinker.’ BOTTOMED well with brandy.
1857. A. TROLLOPE, The Three Clerks, xxxi. Gin and water was the ordinary tipple in the front parlour; and any one of its denizens inclined to cut a dash above his neighbours, generally did so with a BOTTOM of brandy.
1883. Daily Telegraph, 2 July, 5, 3. Soda and DARK BOTTOM is mentioned in a list of American drinks in this article.
TO KNOCK THE BOTTOM OUT OF ONE, verb. phr. (American).—To overcome: to defeat, etc.
1888. Cleveland Leader. The declination of Mr. Blaine, has knocked the BOTTOM out of Mugwumpery.
TO STAND ON ONE’S OWN BOTTOM (or EVERY TUB ON ITS OWN BOTTOM), verb. phr. (old).—To act for oneself, to be independent.
1630–40. The Court and Times of Charles the First, II, 159. Every man must STAND ON HIS OWN BOTTOM.
