subs. (common).—1. Wear and tear; e.g., ‘the BATTER is more than can be stood for long’; ‘BATTERED-BULLY, an old well-cudgell’d and bruis’d huffing Fellow’ (B. E.). TO GO ON THE BATTER = to indulge in debauchery of any kind—drunkenness, whoring, etc. BATTERED = drunk: see SCREWED.
1899. R. WHITEING, No. 5 John Street, xxi. D’ ye call that GOIN’ ON THE BATTER?
2. (printers’).—In pl. = broken and battered type; these find their way to the HELL-BOX (q.v.) and are eventually melted down.
