We’ve been collecting these bits of beer and pub slang for a while and thought they deserved a more permanent home than the occasional Tweet.
act of parliament. c.1785. Military. Small beer, from the legal obligation of landlords to provide five pints of weak beer to each soldier free of charge. (FG85)
admiral of the narrow seas. c.1750. Drunkenly vomiting into the lap of another person. (EP)
Alderman Lushington is concerned. c.1823. Said of someone who is drunk. (FG23)
ale draper. c.1823. Alehouse keeper. (FG23)
barley broth. c.1785. Strong beer. (FG85)
beggar maker. c.1785. Publican. A pub is ‘the beggar maker’s’. (FG85)
belch. c.1823. Beer. (FG23)
belly vengeance. c.1864. Small beer likely to upset your stomach. (H64)
bene bowse. c.1785. Good, strong beer. Thieves cant. (FG85)
blind excuse. c.1823. An obscure pub. (FG23)
bowsing ken. c.1823. An alehouse or gin-shop. (FG23)
bub. c.1823. Strong beer. (FG23)
bubber. c.1823. Drinking bowl. (FG23)
buy the sack. c.1823. To get drunk. (FG23)