subs. (venery).—1. In pl. = testes: see CODS.
1598. SHAKESPEARE, 2 Henry IV., ii. 4. 121. I will discharge upon her, sir, with two BULLETS.
2. (American).—In pl. = aces: see quot.
1897. BARRÈRE and LELAND, A Dictionary of Slang, Jargon & Cant, s.v. BULLETS. In American brag, are aces; sometimes called white aces, in contradistinction to aces made up by holding braggers. The highest hand in the game is three white (or real) aces, the next highest is two BULLETS and a bragger, which cannot, of course, occur in the same round in which three real aces are held, though another player may hold two other BULLETS and a bragger at the same time. Hence the expression ‘the serene confidence which a Christian feels in the three white aces.’
TO GIVE THE BULLET, verb. phr. (common).—To discharge an employé; TO GIVE THE BAG (q.v.); TO SACK (q.v.). TO SHAKE THE BULLET = to threaten (but not to give actual notice to leave). TO GET THE BULLET = to get notice; TO GET THE INSTANT BULLET = to be discharged upon the spot.
1841. W. SAVAGE, A Dictionary of the Art of Printing. A workman was said to have GOT THE BULLET when he was discharged instanter—without the customary notice on either side.
1872. Chambers’s Journal, 9 March, 147. When a fellow GETS THE BULLET from his work, he mostly has a spell at cab-driving.
1887. Punch, 17 Sept., 126. I have just GOT THE BULLET, Mate—sacked without notice.
EVERY BULLET HAS ITS BILLET. See BILLET.
1562–77. GASCOIGNE, The Fruites of Warre, 67.
| Suffiseth this to prooue my theame withall, | |
| That every BULLET HATH A LIGHTING PLACE. |
BULLET IN MOUTH, phr. (old).—Ready for action.
FULL BULLET, phr. (old).—Full size.
