bear sign

English

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Noun

bear sign (uncountable)

1. (US, slang, dated) doughnuts
   • 1903, Andy Adams, The Log of a Cowboy: A Narrative of the Old Trail Days:

     Dunlap ate hardly any dinner, we noticed, and the very first batch of bear sign turned out, he loads up a tin plate and goes out and sits behind the storehoure in the sun, all alone in his glory.

   • 2003, William W. Johnstone, Quest of the Mountain Man, page 7:

     When Pearlie arrived next to Smoke and Sally, skidding to a stop in the mud that was a result of the spring rains earlier in the week, he ignored the coffee and grabbed a double handful of the bear sign, while simultaneously tipping his hat at Sally.

Anagrams

• Basinger, Binegars, barges in, bearings, rebasing, sabering