Dictionary

belly vengeance en · NOUN

Meanings

1. (British, obsolete, slang, uncountable) Poor-quality, sour beer likely to cause a stomachache.
   • Many of them were off almost as soon as they came; the taste of her small beer was quite sufficient to get them going throughout all the neighbourhood. It obtained the name of belly vengeance, and belly vengeance it truly is. 1833, Rev. Rowland Hill, “Dialogue XLIL: Alderman Greedy's Character”, in Village Dialogues, 29th edition, volume 2, London: T. T. & J. Tegg, page 266:
   • Aw, my dear! sich sour maggoty bread, and sich ratten stinking bickies, and sich sour belly-vengeance beer, when we cud git any. c. 1860, John Tabois Tregellas, “California”, in Cornish Tales, page 66:
   • Tea an' coffee are things 'at dooant mend wi' warmin up, an' yo connot allus wait woll fowk mak it, an' soa if yo want to sup yo mun awther goa an' beg a drop o' watter, or pay fourpence for a glass o' belly vengeance, or yo mun get a glass o'drink—but yo've noa need to get a dozzen. c. 1890, John Hartley, “New Machinery &c.”, in Yorkshire Ditties, Second Series:

Relateds

pinch-belly vengeance · whistle-belly vengeance · whip-belly vengeance