or K.H.B., phr. (naval and military).—See quots.: also QUEEN’S (or KING’S) BAD BARGAIN (or SHILLING).—GROSE (1785).
1865. Cornhill Magazine, Feb., 243. This was a man of the old school. The younger Bohemians of the service of my own standing were a more polished breed…. They were generally indeed, what used to be called Q. H. B.’s—QUEEN’S HARD BARGAINS—from a professional point of view.
1890. Tit-Bits, 26 April, 35, 1. A worthless character such as used to be called a QUEEN’S BAD SHILLING, when men were enlisted with a shilling…. He schemes into hospital … to get off a route march, a field-day, coal-carrying.
1898. Daily Mail, 13 April, 7, 2. The Q.H.B. used to devote his attention to the Militia, but the Royal Artillery is now a favourite corps with him…. Sent to so many different stations, the chances of detection are less.—[Abridged.]
