subs. (old and still colloquial).—1. A full glass (B. E.): e.g., ‘bumpers round, and no HEELTAPS’ (q.v.).
1795. Gentleman’s Magazine, 118. Briskly pushed towards me the decanter containing a tolerable BUMPER, and exclaimed, ‘Sir, I’ll buzz you: come, no heel-taps!’
1796. F. REYNOLDS, Fortune’s Fool, IV. Let’s steer to the club, and drink Juliana’s health in a thousand BUMPERS.
1825. C. M. WESTMACOTT, The English Spy, 255. Most noble cracks, and worthy cousin trumps—permit me to introduce a brother of the togati, fresh as a new-blown rose, and innocent as the lilies of St. Clement’s. Be unto him, as ye have been to all gownsmen from the beginning, ever ready to promote his wishes, whether for spree or sport, in term or out of term—against the Inquisition and their bull-dogs—the town raff and the bargees—well blunted or stiver cramped—against dun or don—nob or big wig—so may you never want a BUMPER of bishop.
1888. Puck’s Library, April, 20. Come old boy, let’s brace up; a BUMPER will pull you together again.
2. (common).—Anything superlative: a big lie, thoroughbred horse, large house, or fine woman: see WHOPPER.
3. (theatrical).—A full or crowded house.
1838. DICKENS, Nicholas Nickleby, xxiv., 192. In the confidence that our fellow-townsmen have not lost that high appreciation of public utility and private worth, for which they have long been so pre-eminently distinguished, we predict that this charming actress will be greeted with a BUMPER.
4. (cards’).—When, in long whist, one side has scored eight before the other has scored a point, a BUMPER is the result.
