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The meaning and origin of the expression: Boss eyed

Boss-eyed

What's the meaning of the phrase 'Boss eyed'?

Cross-eyed or squinty.

What's the origin of the phrase 'Boss eyed'?

This first appears in the 19th century. It is defined in John Camden Hotten's A Dictionary of Modern Slang, Cant and Vulgar Words, 1869 as:

"Boss-eyed - a person with one eye, or rather with one eye injured".

The 1887 edition of Notes and Queries says - "To boss is schoolboy slang for 'to miss'."

Gary Martin - the author of the phrases.org.uk website.

By Gary Martin

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