phrases, sayings, idioms and expressions at

The Phrase Finder

The meaning and origin of the expression: Boss eyed

Phrases, Sayings and Idioms Home > Phrase Dictionary - Meanings and Origins > Boss-eyed
Browse phrases beginning with:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T UV W XYZ - Full List

Boss-eyed

Meaning

Cross-eyed or squinty.

Origin

This first appears in the 19th century. It is defined in John Camden Hotten's The Slang Dictionary, 1869 as:

"Boss-eyed - a person with one eye, or rather with one eye injured".

The 1887 edition of Notes and Queries says - "To boss is schoolboy slang for 'to miss'."

About the author... About the author - Gary Martin
Copyright © Gary Martin, 1996 - 2013