Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (orig. Aus.) used (mainly) at the end of sentences to give added emphasis, ‘no doubt about it’, ‘absolutely’; e.g. He’s a nice bloke, but.

1853		Aus. Gold Digger’s Monthly iv 125: The hero (not a hundred fights, but) famed Whitechapel, doubtless considered such a feast of valour would greatly exalt him [AND].
1906		‘Steele Rudd’ On Our Selection 161: ‘Supposin’ the chap ain’t dead, but?’ Regan persisted.
1938		E. Lowe Salute to Freedom 157: She had so few words to express her feelings. ‘I love you – won’t you kiss me, but!’.
1949		R. Park Poor Man’s Orange 27: ‘Stinking mongrels!’ said Delie strongly. Somebody called out, ‘What about them electric stoves they’re going to give us, but?’.
1951		(con. 1941) E. Lambert Twenty Thousand Thieves 107: ‘Who’re we getting? ‘A real bastard.’ ‘Who, but?’.
1960		‘Nino Culotta’ Cop This Lot 23: Couldn’t do it in the time, but.
1974		G.M. Fraser McAuslan in the Rough 11: It wis a smashin’ picture, but.
1982		N. Keesing Lily on the Dustbin 51: Australian women, more often than men, perhaps, have a penchant for ending statements with ‘but’. ‘I had a dreadful session with the dentist this morning, it’s been a nice day, but.’.
1986		R.G. Barrett Real Thing 192: Have a go at the price tag, but.
1991		R. Doyle Van (1998) 380: No, hang on, Jim, said Bimbo. I’ll get this one. It’s my round but.
1998		R.G. Barrett Goodoo Goodoo 172: Bird-eating spiders [...] They ’re good for brandy sales but.
2005		P. Howard Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightdress 70: He goes, ‘Fix it, but’.
2007		D. McDonald Luck in the Greater West (2008) 1: What class ya got now? [...] I got commerce. I’m thinkin’ of waggin’ but.
2013		T. Black Ringer [ebook] n.p.: You wouldn’t send a guy with a face like Wayne Rooney after a lassie like this; he’d pure get his arse caned. [...] Not me, but.
2015		I. Welsh Decent Ride 77: Jist tell ays if ye are [going to commit suicide], so ah kin gie the bizzies some story [...] Goat tae cover ma erse but, ay.
2018		G. Gilmore Base Nature [ebook] ‘I’ve done nothing wrong, but’.
2020		G. Armstrong Young Team 4: Elder wans tended to know it as the YTP but.

2. (US) used as an intensifier, e.g. but crazy, but cool.

1940		J.H. O’Hara Pal Joey 2: He [...] began making cracks but loud.
1944		T. Thursday ‘Base on Balds’ in Sports Winners Spring 🌐 She gave his long hair the twice over, but heavy.
1953		R. Chandler Long Good-Bye 16: Mr Potter is one person who but never gives an interview. How exclusive can you get, darlings? [Ibid.] 103: You don’t have any business here. Hit the trail, sweetie. Buzz off but fast.
1959		W. Brown Teen-Age Mafia 90: You try running off at at the lip [...] and you’ll get what the old guy got. But fancy.
2001		‘Randy Everhard’ Tattoo of a Naked Lady 20: We had to give him the blow-off but quick.
2012		(con. 1980s) I. Welsh Skagboys 13: Heavy stuff here the day but, eh?
2022		J. Hannaham Didn’t Nobody Give a Shit 212: The B52 [bus] [...] would put them right by Carlotta’s house but quick.