THE BALMY, subs. phr. (common).—Sleep: as adj. = sleepy: cf. ‘balmy slumbers’ (SHAKESPEARE) and ‘balmy sleep’ (YOUNG). TO HAVE A DOSE (or WINK) OF THE BALMY = to go to sleep. See BEDFORDSHIRE.
1840. DICKENS, The Old Curiosity Shop, ch. viii., p. 42. ‘As it’s rather late, I’ll try and get A WINK OR TWO OF THE BALMY.
See BARMY.
