Buss a blank

phrase BUSS a BLANK bʌs a blaŋk

Also spelled buss-a-blank, bus a blank, buss blank

Originally, to fire a blank shot from a gun into the air as a salute to a hot tune at a dance — the loudest sign of approval in old-time dancehall. As real gunfire faded from the dance, 'buss a blank' survives as a shouted exclamation of hype and appreciation, and in the mouth-made 'blam blam' sounds the crowd makes to salute a track.

  • Di tune so good, everybody buss a blank.

    The tune was so good, everybody let off a salute.

  • Buss a blank fi di selecta!

    Fire off a salute for the selector!

  • Back inna di day dem did really buss a blank.

    Back in the day they really fired blank shots.

From 'buss' (burst/fire) + 'a blank' (blank cartridge); a gun-salute to a tune. See [[gun-finger]], [[forward]].

A gun-salute (or shouted 'blam') of approval for a hot tune. See [[gun-finger]], [[forward]].