Like KNIGHT (q.v.), BROTHER is largely found in combination. Thus BROTHER-BLADE = a fellow-soldier: also BROTHER OF THE BLADE: see MUDCRUSHER; BROTHER-CHIP = a fellow carpenter; BROTHER-OF-THE-BRUSH = an artist; a house-painter; BROTHER-OF-THE-BUNG = a brewer; BROTHER-OF-THE-BUSKIN = a player; an actor (BUSKIN = the covering for the foot and leg (cothurnus) worn by actors in tragedy among the ancients, in contrast to the sock (soccus) worn by comedians); BROTHER-OF-THE-COIF = a serjeant-at-law (the coif was a close-fitting cap worn by the serjeants-at-law); BROTHER-OF-THE-GUSSET = a pimp; a PONCE (q.v.); BROTHER-OF-THE-QUILL = an author; BROTHER-SMUT = a term of familiarity; ‘DITTO, BROTHER (or SISTER) SMUT,’ a tu quoque; BROTHER-STARLING = a man who shares his mistress with another; BROTHER-OF-THE-STRING = a fiddler; BROTHER-OF-THE-WHIP = a coachman.
1687. BP. CARTWRIGHT, in Magdalen College (Oxford Historical Society), 143. Pray make use of my BROTHER OF THE BRUSH.
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. BROTHER OF THE BLADE, a Sword-Man or Soldier.
BROTHER OF THE GUSSIT, a pimp, procurer, also, whore-master.
BROTHER OF THE QUILL, of the scribbling tribe.
BROTHER OF THE STRING, a fidler, or musician.
BROTHER-STARLING, that lies with the same woman, or builds in the same nest.
1754. B. MARTIN, English Dictionary (2 ed.). BROTHER OF THE QUILL, an author, one of the same profession.
1756. The World, 207. He … had always greased my heels himself, and upon every one of my birthdays, had treated all his BROTHER WHIPS at his own expence.
1759. STERNE, Tristram Shandy (1793), I., 133. The honourable devices which the Pentagraphic BRETHEREN OF THE BRUSH have shewn in taking copies.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. BROTHER STARLING … one who … builds in the same nest.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. BROTHER OF THE BLADE, a soldier.
1820. JOHN CLARE, Poems Descriptive of Rural Life and Scenery, ‘Familiar Epistle,’ 3. And, BROTHER CHIP, I love ye dearly, Poor as ye be!
1833. BYRON, Wks. (1846), 585, 1. A young American BROTHER OF THE BRUSH.
1834. W. H. AINSWORTH, Rockwood, IV., ii. I heard some devilish good stories of you at D’Osyndar’s t’other day; the fellow who told them to me little thought I was a BROTHER BLADE.
1849. T. MILLER, Gabarni in London, 39. He is very kind to any poor BROTHER OF THE WHIP whom he sees tugging up-hill in vain, with a weighty load and an ill-fed team.
