E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Beard.
Cutting the beard. The Turks think it a dire disgrace to have the beard cut. Slaves who serve in the seraglio have clean chins, as a sign of their servitude.
1
Kissing the beard. In Turkey wives kiss their husband, and children their father on the beard.
2
To make one’s beard (Chaucer). This is the French “Faire la barbe à quelqu’un,” and refers to a barber’s taking hold of a man’s beard to dress it, or to his shaving the chin of a customer. To make one’s beard is to have him wholly at your mercy.
3
I told him to his beard. I told him to his face, regardless of consequences; to speak openly and fearlessly.
