verb. (old).—To stupify, confuse, or muddle: as with intoxicants; usually (modern) in phrase ‘BEMUSED in beer.’ [The phrase, originally used by Pope, was given a new impetus by G. A. Sala (in Gaslight and Daylight). In America, especially, it caught the popular fancy and ran a brief but riotous course throughout the Union to signify one who addicted himself to ‘soaking’ with beer.]
1735. POPE, Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot, 15. Is there a Parson much BEMUSED in beer.
1847. H. MILLER, First Impressions of England and Its People, xix. (1861) 265. The bad metaphysics with which they BEMUSE themselves.
1854. WHYTE-MELVILLE, General Bounce, viii. A fat little man, primed with port, but who, when not thus BEMUSED, is an influential member of this committee.
1880. JUSTIN MCCARTHY, A History of Our Own Times, xxx. III. 2. A Prussian was regarded in England as a dull BEER-BEMUSED creature.
1883. R. L. STEVENSON, The Treasure of Franchard, iv. So while the Doctor made himself drunk with words, the adopted stable-boy BEMUSED himself with silence.
