BABBLE. Confused, unintelligible talk, such as was used at the building the tower of Babel. BABES IN THE WOOD. Criminals in the stocks, or pillory. BACK BITER. One who slanders another behind his back, i.e. in his absence. His bosom friends are become his back biters, said of a lousy man. BACK DOOR (USHER. or GENTLEMAN OF THE). The same. BACK GAMMON PLAYER. A sodomite. BACK UP. His back is up, i.e. he is offended or angry; an expression or idea taken from a cat; that animal, when angry, always raising its back. An allusion also sometimes used to jeer a crooked man; as, So, Sir, I see somebody has offended you, for your back is up. BACKED. Dead. He wishes to have the senior, or old square-toes, backed; he longs to have his father on six men's shoulders; that is, carrying to the grave. BACON. He has saved his bacon; he has escaped. He has a good voice to beg bacon; a saying in ridicule of a bad voice. BACON FED. Fat, greasy. BACON-FACED. Full-faced.
Based on the Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue A Dictionary of Buckish Slang, University Wit and Pickpocket Eloquence by Francis Grose published originally in 1811
