E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Bon’iface.
A sleek, good-tempered, jolly landlord. From Farquhar’s comedy of The Beaux’ Stratagem.
1
“A regular British Boniface.”—The John Bull.
St. Boniface. The apostle of Germany, an Anglo-Saxon whose original name was Winifrid or Winfrith. (680–750.)
2
St. Boniface’s cup. An extra cup of wine (to the health of the Pope). Pope Boniface, we are told in the Ebrietatis Encomium, instituted an indulgence to those who drank his good health after grace, or the health of the Pope of the time being. An excuse for an extra glass.
