subs. (old).—1. A chicken; sometimes CHICK-A-BIDDY (B. E.) and GROSE.
2. (common).—A young woman, not necessarily Irish (GROSE).
3. (common).—A woman, whether young or old.
1868. O. W. HOLMES, The Guardian Angel, xxviii., 233 (Rose Lib.). Don’t trouble yourself about Kitty Fagan, for pity’s sake, Mr. Bradshaw. The BIDDIES are all alike, and they’re all as stupid as owls, except when you tell ’em just what to do, and how to do it. A pack of priest-ridden fools!
1887. Cornhill Magazine, May, 510. How he gave to one old BIDDY ‘five guineas to buy a jack,’ and to another substantial help towards her boy’s schooling.
4. (Winchester College).—See BIDET.
5. (common).—A diminutive of Bridget; hence:
6. (American).—A servant girl—generally Irish.
