Brewer, E. Cobham. Dictionary of Phrase & Fable. Billee’ (Little).

Reference > Brewer’s Dictionary > Billee’ (Little).

Bills of Parcels.

Billet-doux [pronounce billy doo].

CONTENTS · BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.

Billee’ (Little).

The youngest’ of “Three sailors of Bristol city,” who “took a boat and went to sea.”

“There was gorging Jack, and guzzling Jimmy,

And the youngest—he was little Billee.

Now, when they got as far as the equator,

They had nothing left but one split pea.

To gorging Jack says guzzling Jimmy,

‘We’ve nothing left, we must eat we.’”

Thackeray.

[They decide to eat Little Billee, but he contrives to escape.]

Bills of Parcels.

Billet-doux [pronounce billy doo].

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