busby
(ˈbʌzbɪ)
[Derivation unknown.
Busby is the name of an English village, and also a personal surname of some antiquity, well known as that of Dr. Richard Busby, Head Master of Westminster School 1640–1695.]
† 1. A kind of large bushy wig. Obs.
| 1764 T. Bridges Homer Travest. (1797) II. 144 But I'm afraid we cannot get him A busby large enough to fit him. 1882 Globe 24 July 2/1 This ‘Busby’, so often used colloquially when a large bushy wig is meant, most probably took its origin, not..from Dr. Busby, the famous head master of Westminster School, but from the wig denominated a ‘Buzz’, from being frizzled and bushy. |
2. A tall fur cap, with or without a plume, having a bag (generally of cloth, and of the colour of the facings of the regiment) hanging out of the top, on the right side; worn by hussars, artillerymen, and engineers; hence, one who wears a busby. Also busby-bag.
| 1807 (25 Dec.) in Malet Hist. Rec. 18th Hussars (1869) 16 Permission received to be clothed as Hussars—jackets light blue, silver lace; busby-bags blue. 1853 in Duncan Hist. Royal Regt. Artill. (1873) II. 44 Sealskin busbies were substituted for bearskin. 1854 in Kinglake Crimea V. i. 271 The Busby-bags taking it coolly. 1870 Daily News 27 July 5 They wore the handsome and characteristic jacket which our Hussars have discarded for the tunic, and retained their busby. 1885 Annandale Impl. Dict. s.v., The bag appears to be a relic of a Hungarian head-dress from which a long padded bag hung over, and was attached to the right shoulder as a defence against sword-cuts. |