Green’s Dictionary of Slang

a euph. for bastard n. (1)

1937		R. Westerby Wide Boys Never Work (1938) 15: All this American rot you talk, you silly young baskets!
1943		M. Harrison Reported Safe Arrival 46: Arsked that ’ound of a Flight-Sarnt if ’e could slip ashore an’ say good-bye to ’is ole woman. An’ the barsket never let ’im.
1950		C. Harris Three-Ha’Pence to the Angel 204: We’re the most ignorant, stupid lot of baskets you’d find.
1952		R. Holles Now thrive the Armourers 58: ‘I wonder what slit-eyed yellow basket will be kipping in my sleeping-bag to-night,’ growled a burly lance-corporal.
1961		J. Sparks Burglar to the Nobility 134: I know this little basket, he’ll never give in.
1962		A. La Guma Walk in the Night (1968) 99: What’s that basket up to?
1966		(con. 1954) J. McGrath Events While Guarding the Bofors Gun I iii: You filthy-minded basket, go to sleep.
1976		P. Theroux Family Arsenal 269: Look at the little basket – he likes it and all!
1989		J. Morton Lowspeak.