subs. (common).—1. A pad, roll, or wire contrivance worn by women at the back in order to extend the dress: see BUM-ROLL and BIRD-CAGE.
1788. T. MONRO, in Olla Podrida, 40.
| Such locks the nymphs now wear (in silks who rustle), | |
| In rich luxuriance reaching to the BUSTLE. |
1835. DICKENS, Sketches by Boz, 323. Whether she was pretty, whether she wore much BUSTLE, etc. Ibid., 488. ‘Did you ever,’ said a little coquette with a large BUSTLE.
1857. A. TROLLOPE, Barchester Towers, xlv., 384. Bertie finished off the countess’s BUSTLE.
2. (old).—Money: generic: see RHINO.
1819. J. H. VAUX, A Vocabulary of the Flash Language. BUSTLE, a cant term for money. Ibid. Any object effected very suddenly, or in a hurry, is said to be done upon the BUSTLE.
3. (B. E.).—‘A fray, stir, tumult in the streets; also a noise in any place. What a BUSTLE you make? What a hurry or rattle you cause? BUSTLE ABOUT, to be very stirring, or bestir one’s stumps.’
Verb (common).—To confuse; to confound; to perplex.
1876. C. HINDLEY, ed. The Life and Adventures of a Cheap Jack, 237. ‘Now BUSTLE him,’ said Tom Maley; ‘you have got him to-rights now. Let go your left straight.’
