subs. phr. (schoolboys’).—1. A sweetmeat of which peppermint is an important ingredient. [In allusion to its globular shape and markings.]
1825. HONE, The Every-day Book, I., 51. Hard-bake, brandy-balls, and BULL’S-EYES.
1857. C. KINGSLEY, Two Years Ago, xv. He had just arranged a master-piece; half-a-dozen of the prettiest children sitting beneath a broken boat,… while the black-bearded sea-kings round were promising them rock and BULL’S-EYES if they would only sit still like gude maids.
1882. Punch, LXXXII., 83. Dr. Switcher (who had discovered BULL’S EYES about, and traced them to the original donor).
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. BULLS-EYE, c. a Crown, or Five shilling Piece.
1714. Memoirs of John Hall (4 ed.), 11. BULL’S-EYE, a Crown.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. BULL’S EYE, a crown piece.
3. (common).—A policeman’s lantern.
1856. C. KINGSLEY, Letter, May. We don’t see but half the BULL’S-EYE yet, and don’t see at all the policeman which is a-going on his beat behind the BULL’S EYE.
4. (old).—A small and thick old-fashioned watch; a TURNIP (q.v.).
