Chapter Broach to Brown, Jones, and Robinson of B by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Broken Feather (A ). A broken feather in his wing. A scandal connected with one's character.

“If an angel were to walk about, Mrs. Sam Hurst would never rest till she had found out where he came from; and perhaps whether he had a broken feather in his wing.”- Mrs. Oliphant: Phoebe.

Broken Music A “consort” consisted of six viols, usually kept in one case. When the six were played together it was called a “whole consort,” when less than the six were played it was called “a broken consort.” Sometimes applied to open chords or arpeggios.

“Here is good broken music.”
Shakespeare: Troilus and Cressida, iii. 1.

    Lord Bacon in his Sylva Sylvarum gives a different explanation: he says certain instruments agree together and produce concordant music, but others (as the virginal and lute, the Welsh and Irish harps) do not accord.

Broken on the Wheel (See Break. )

Broker Properly speaking, is one who sells refuse. In German, called mäklers, that is, “sellers of damaged stores.” (Teutonic, brak or wrak, refuse, allied with German brauchen.)
    Generally some special word is prefixed as bill-broker, cotton-broker, ship-broker, stock-broker, etc.

Brontes (2 syl.). A blacksmith personified, one of the Cyclops. The name signifies Thunder.

“Not with such weight, to frame the forky brand,
The ponderous hammer falls from Brontes' hand.”
Hoole: Jerusalem Delivered, book xx.

Bronzomarte (See Horse. )

Brook (Master ). The name assumed by Ford when he visits Sir John Falstaff. The amorous knight tells Master Brook all about his amour with Mrs. Ford, and how he duped her husband by being stowed into a basket of dirty linen.

“Ford. I'll give you a pottle of burnt sack to give me recourse to him, and tell him my name is Brook, only for a jest.

“Host. My hand, bully. Thou shalt have egress and regress, ... and thy name shall be Brook.”- Shakespeare. Merry Wives of Windsor, II. 1.

Brooks of Sheffield An imaginary individual mentioned in David Copperfield. (See Harris, Mrs. )

Broom A broom is hung at the mast-head of ships about to be sold, to indicate that they are to be swept away. The idea is popularly taken from Admiral Tromp; but probably this allusion is more witty than true. The custom of hanging up something to attract notice seems very common. Thus an old piece of carpet from a window indicates household furniture for sale; a wisp of straw indicates oysters for sale; a bush means wine for sale; an old broom, ships to sell, etc. etc. (See Pennant. )
   A new broom. One fresh in office.
   New brooms sweep clean. Those newly appointed to an office find fault and want to sweep away old customs.

Brosier Eating one out of house and home. At Eton, when a dame keeps an unusually bad table, the boys agree together on a day to eat, pocket, or waste everything eatable in the house. The censure is well understood, and the hint is generally effective. (Greek, broso, to eat.)

Brother or Frère. A friar not in orders. (See Father. )
   Brother (So-and-so). A fellow-barrister.
   Brother Benedict. A married man. (See Benedict.)
   Brother Birch. A fellow-school-master.
   Brother Blade. A fellow- soldier, properly; but now anyone of the same calling as yourself.
   Brother Brush. A fellow-painter.
   Brother Bung. A fellow-tapster.
   Brother Buskin. A fellow-comedian or actor.
   A Brother Chip. A fellow-carpenter.
   A Brother Clergyman. A fellow-clergyman.
   A Brother Crispin. A fellow-shoemaker.
   A Brother Mason. A fellow-Freemason.
   A Brother Quill. A fellow-author.
   A Brother Salt. A fellow-seaman or sailor.
   A Brother