First recorded in 1795–1805
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
By four o'clock there was I sitting outside that confectioner's, wearing enough pennies to buy the shop out, and yet not a Bath bun to the good!
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 147, November 4, 1914 by Various
“Thanks, no,” said the baronet, changing his position, giving his hat a turn, and flourishing out the Bath bun, which fell upon the carpet before him.
From Lady Maude's Mania by Fenn, George Manville
It was evident, however, that she was a little lady, though she wore a badly made frock, and her hat sat like a hard, extraneous Bath bun on the top of her neat head.
From The Port of Adventure by Williamson, A. M. (Alice Muriel)
"Liken not your old friend unto a Bath bun," said he.
From The Red Thumb Mark by Freeman, R. Austin (Richard Austin)
"Well, sir, a Bath bun and a glass of milk," Bertie replied, looking vainly round the enormous table in search of his favourite dainty.
From Little Folks (November 1884) A Magazine for the Young by Various
And there, struggling in the grip of a constable, who had laid strong hands upon him, stood Dollops with a kit-bag in one hand and a half-devoured bath bun in the other.
From Cleek, the Master Detective by Hanshew, Thomas W.
The last he found unmarketable; the pipe, I think, he made merchandise of, but somehow his provender for the day’s journey consisted in one bath bun, which he could not finish.
From Adventures Among Books by Lang, Andrew
“No; he means a bath bun and a glass of milk,” laughed Marjorie, smiling up at the lady’s face.
From Dick, Marjorie and Fidge A Search for the Wonderful Dodo by Farrow, G. E. (George Edward)
I cannot even cheer myself with an ancient bath bun, a glass of cloudy beer, or two penny-worth of acidulated drops.
From Humorous Readings and Recitations In prose and verse by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
