subs. (common).—1. A bustle: once modish for extending the skirts of the dress: because at one time constructed of such a size and in such a manner as to be not altogether unlike an elongated BIRD-CAGE. Also CANARY CAGE; BACKSTAIRCASE; FALSE HEREAFTER; BISHOP. Fr. volapuk; strapontin; lieutenant (a pun on tenant lieu de ce qui manque); nuage (parcequ’il cache la lune; lune = the posteriors).
c. 1860. Broadside Ballad, ‘The Agricultural Irish Girl,’ 3. She does not wear those things behind, The ladies call BIRD-CAGES.
2. (common).—A four-wheeled cab: see GROWLER.
3. (racing).—The paddock at the Newmarket race-course where saddling takes place: it adjoins the grand stand.
1884. St. James’s Gazette, May 1, p. 1. All the favourites were brought into the BIRD-CAGE.
