subs. phr. (American).—A rowdy, blustering bully; a rough: this nickname was peculiar to Baltimore; the BLOOD-TUBS were said to have been mostly butchers, and to have got their epithet from having, on an election day, dipped an obnoxious German’s head in a tub of warm blood, and then driven him, running, through the town: see PLUG-UGLY.
1861. Song of the Irish Legion.
| ‘BLOOD TUBS’ and ‘Plug Uglies,’ and others galore | |
| Are sick for a thrashing in sweet Baltimore; | |
| Be jabers! that same I’d be proud to inform | |
| Of the terrible force of an Irishman’s arm. |
