BRINDEZINGUE, _m._ (thieves’), _tin case of very small diameter containing implements, such as a fine steel saw or a watch-spring, which they secrete in a peculiar manner_. Says Delvau:--
Comment arrivent-ils à soustraire cet instrument de délivrance aux investigations les plus minutieuses des geôliers? C’est ce qu’il faut demander à M. le docteur Ambroise Tardieu qui a fait une étude spéciale des maladies de la gaîne naturelle de cet étui.
(Mountebanks’) Etre en ----, _to be ruined_, _a bankrupt_, “cracked up,” or “gone to smash.”
BRINDEZINGUES, _m. pl._ (popular), être dans les ----, _to be intoxicated_. From an old word brinde, _toast_.
BRINGUE, _m._ (popular), _bread_, or “soft tommy.” Mettre en ----, _to smash up_.
BRIO, _m._ (familiar). Properly a _musical term_. Figuratively, Parler, écrire avec ----, _to speak or write with spirit, in dashing style_.
BRIOCHES, _f._ _pl._ (popular). Literally _gross mistake_. Figuratively, Faire des ----, _to lead a disorderly life_.
BRIOLET, _m._ (popular), _thin, sour wine_, that is, “vin de Brie.”
BRIQUEMANN, BRIQUEMON, _m._ (military), _cavalry sword_.
BRIQUEMON, _m._ (thieves’), _tinder box_.
BRISAC, _m._ (popular), _careless child who tears his clothes_.
BRISACQUE, _m._ (popular), _noise_; _noisy man_.
BRISCARD or BRISQUE, _m._ (military), _old soldier with long-service stripes_.
BRISE, _f._ (sailors’), à faire plier le pouce, _violent gale_; ---- à grenouille, _west wind_.
BRISER (printers’), _to cease working_. (Popular) Se la ----, _to go away_, “to mizzle.” See PATATROT.
BRISEUR, _m._ The “briseurs” (gens qui se la brisent), according to Vidocq, are natives of Auvergne who pass themselves off for tradesmen. They at first gain the confidence of manufacturers or wholesale dealers by paying in cash for a few insignificant orders, and swindle them afterwards on larger ones. The goods, denominated “brisées,” are then sold much under value, and the unlawful proceeds are invested in Auvergne.
BRISQUE, _f._ (thieves’), _year_, or “stretch.”
BRISQUES, _f. pl._ (gamblers’), _the ace and figures in a pack of cards_. When a player possesses all these in his game he is said to have “la triomphe;” (military) _stripes_.
BRISURE, _f._ (thieves’), _swindle_, or “plant;” (printers’) _temporary cessation of work_. Grande ----, _total stoppage of work_.