bug v.5
1. (US Und.) to have an open, unhealed sore on one’s arm, to enhance one’s efforts at begging.
![[US]](/static/img/flags/us.png "United States") | Und. and Prison Sl. |
2. (US drugs) to inject one’s arm with something that will produce a large and unpleasant-looking swelling; the intention is to obtain a shot of narcotic from a doctor.
| ‘Argot of the Und. Narcotic Addict’ Pt 1 in AS XI:2 119/1: To bug. To inject a shot of coal oil, tobacco juice, or strong disinfectant into the flesh. This produces a vicious swelling which is used to secure sympathy and a shot from doctors or druggists. Frequently it results in abscesses or amputation. |
In phrases
(US tramp) to infect a young hobo’s arm so as to create what looks like a cancerous growth; the aim is to extract alms.
| Times (Shreveport, LA) 12 May 3/5: A strong ‘graft’ with the ‘yegg’ is to ‘bugg de punk.’ [...] [S]cratching the skin with a pin and applying acid, then binding the scratch up in a cloth for a few days. After [...] it has the appearance of a cancer. The ‘punk’ is then sent out to ‘mooch th stem’ (beg for mney)o. |