▪ I. basher1
(ˈbæʃə(r))
[f. bash v.2 +-er1.]
1. One who gives, or strikes with, a smashing blow; spec. a pugilist.
| 1882 Daily Tel. 16 Dec. 2/6 The professed ‘basher’. 1886 World 11 Aug. 8 This bruiser of the police court, this basher of a little foreign Jew. 1888 J. Greenwood Policeman's Lantern 35 (title) The Man-Basher. Ibid. 44 ‘Does that mean for simply knocking him down?’.. ‘It means whatever you mean,’ returned the professional ‘basher’..; ‘it wont make no odds to me, when I'm once set about him.’ 1927 Daily Tel. 11 Oct. 12/6 He fights as if he enjoys fighting; and there is much of a basher in him. |
2. Services' slang (see quot. 1943). Also, more generally, a man, often with defining word. Cf. Bible-basher.
| 1942 F. Rhodes Let. in Partridge Dict. Slang (1961) II. 991/1 Buster or basher is very common for mechanics, as in compass basher, instrument basher. 1943 Hunt & Pringle Service Slang 13 Bashers, instructors in physical training. 1945 Gen 30 June 51/2 One of the cookhouse bashers that came off at five. 1946 E. H. Partridge in Raymond & Langton Slipstream 62 The term basher, as in clock basher, stores basher..now means no more than fellow, chap, man. |
▪ II. basher2 slang.
(ˈbæʃə(r))
[Perh. same as prec.]
A straw hat, a boater.
| 1901 Westm. Gaz. 9 Aug. 8/1 They parade in the grounds of the Exhibition with well-cut clothes and straw ‘bashers’. 1933 Bulletin (Glasgow) 11 July 5/5, I am inclined to think that there are certain kinds of clothes that do not blend with a ‘basher’. |