E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Button-hole (A).
A flower inserted in the button-hole of a coat.
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“In fine wéather he [the driver of a hansom] will sport a button-hole—generally a dahlia, or some flower of that ilk.”—Nineteenth Century (March, 1893, p. 473).
