Green’s Dictionary of Slang

Brian O’Linn n.

gin.

[1842		Belfast News Letter 23 Dec. 1/1: ‘Brian O’Lynn, the ditty, has for ages been current in Ireland, a favourite school-boy exercise].
1857		‘Ducange Anglicus’ Vulgar Tongue.
1864, 1867, 1870		Hotten Sl. Dict.
1873		Sl. Dict.
1880		D.W. Barrett Life and Work among The Navvies 40: Had our friend wished for something more potent than the pig’s ear aforesaid, he would have substituted the phrase ‘Bryan o’ lin’.
1886		Sporting Times 9 Jan. 5/4: Thirsting for a little Jack the Dandy, I’m so Frisky, Bryan O’Lynn or Finger and Thumb.
1893		P.H. Emerson Signor Lippo 84: Let’s have a drop of brian, Blower, I’m dry.
1894		Pall Mall Gaz. 4 July 3/2: No master of the language would ever brandy or gin their primitive names, ‘Jack the Dandy’ or ‘Brian O’Lynn.’ The one is always referred to as ‘Jack’, the other as ‘Brian’.
1897		Marshall Pomes 76: Nothing mean about uncle – he squandered the tin – For the gals he had gallons of Bryan-o’Lynn [F&H].
1909		J. Ware Passing Eng. of the Victorian Era Bry, Gin.
1933		‘William Juniper’ True Drunkard’s Delight 229: Perhaps, your tipple is gin; then you are for [...] Brian O’Lynn.
1938		(con. 1900s) in J.B. Booth Sporting Times 88: I’ll half-inch ’em – they’re sure to fetch enough / To purchase a Brian or two!
1960		J. Franklyn Dict. of Rhy. Sl.
1972		Dodson & Saczek Dict. of Cockney Rhy. Sl.