or buss, subs. (theatrical).—1. BUSINESS (q.v.): pronounced biz.
2. (common).—A contraction of ‘omnibus.’
1832. MARTINEAU, Weal and Woe, i., 14. If the station offers me a place in a BUSS.
1837. DICKENS, Sketches by Boz (The Last Cabdriver). Rumours were rife on the hackney-coach stands that a BUSS was building to run from Lisson-Grove to the Bank, down Oxford Street and Holborn.
1837. R. H. BARHAM, The Ingoldsby Legends (A Lay of St. Romwold).
| There was no taking refuge too then, as with us, | |
| On a slip-sloppy day, in a cab or a ’BUS. |
1852. DICKENS, Bleak House, 93. He proposed that they should go, per BUSS, a little way into the country.
1860. ARTHUR SMITH, The Thames Angler, ii.
| On ’BUSSES’ knifeboards stretch’d, | |
| The City clerks all tongue-protruded lay. |
1861. THACKERAY, The Adventures of Philip, II. 316. We were mortified to see that of the five persons conveyed by the ’BUS, one was a tradesman, etc.
1869. W. BLACK, In Silk Attire, II., 205. Annie Brunel got out of the Hampstead ’BUS, and found herself in the muddy highway.
Verb. (American).—To punch the head.
See BUSS.
