coat and badge, v. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

coat and badge v.

also C and B

[rhy. sl.; ult. Doggett’s Coat and Badge, awarded to Thames watermen who, with this prize, had the right to charge higher fares in their mid-19C heyday]

to cadge; usu. in phr. on the coat and badge, on the C & B, cadging.

1930		(con. 1914–18) Brophy & Partridge Songs and Sl. of the British Soldier.
1938		L. Ortzen Down Donkey Row 11: Coat and Badge – Cadge.
1960, 1975		Wentworth & Flexner DAS.
1972		Dodson & Saczek Dict. of Cockney Rhy. Sl.
1992		R. Puxley Cockney Rabbit.
2002		B. Kirkpatrick Wicked Cockney Rhy. Sl.