adv. phr. (old).—All over; completely: also BACK-AND-BED and cf. BACK-AND-EDGE (supra, s.v. BACK, PHRASES). Hence TO KEEP ONE BACK AND BELLY = to provide everything, to feed and clothe; TO BEAT ONE BACK-AND-BELLY = to thrash thoroughly; TO GIVE BACK-AND-BELLY (venery) = to work both ends: said of a DOUBLE-BARRELLED (q.v.) harlot.
[c. 1300. Cursor Mundi, 5130. Clathing bath for BAC AND BEDD.]
[c. 1375. WYCLIF, Sermon [Works (1869), I. 298. Cloþing boþ for her BEDDE AND BAK.]
1549. LATIMER, Seven Sermons before Edward VI. [ARBER], 51. Borrow of thy two next neighbours, that is to say, of thy BACKE AND THI BELLY.
1603. SHAKESPEARE, Measure for Measure, iii. 2. 23. What ’tis to cram a MAW, OR cloath a BACKE.
1862. A. TROLLOPE, Orley Farm, I. 83 (HOPPE). It is from the BACKS AND BELLIES of other people that savings are made with the greatest constancy.
