Meaning of abbreviation ‘BBs’ in a 1940s Book

[EllieQ]

I’m reading Confusion by Elizabeth Jane Howard, which is set during WW2, and was puzzled by the abbreviation ‘BBs’ in a scene where one of the characters is thinking about the usual shopping list she would have for a trip to to London - the line is ‘BBs for Clary and Polly’ who are teenage girls.

Google hasn’t helped as I’ve just got results for Bulletin Board Services (know as BBS) or the BBC. I’m assuming it’s something underwear or toiletry related, but can’t figure it out! Does anyone have any idea what it could stand for?

Denys James Watkins-Pitchford MBE was an English naturalist, artist and author under the pen name 'BB'. He won the 1942 Carnegie Medal for 'The Little Grey Men'.

It was the pen name of the author of The Little Grey Men, a children’s book about gnomes set in Warwickshire, I enjoyed it and I think its companion books as a child.

Cross post!

Omg I had totally forgotten about the little grey men!

I came across it on a bookshelf of my aunts. I expect one of them bought it in the 1940s or 50s.

I remember wearing a liberty bodice over a vest in winter. Milk of Magnesia is still around. Does anyone remember Gregory’s Powder (foul)? Or children’s orange flavoured aspirin. Beechams pills (worth a guinea a box)!

Don't come near me. I still say 'spend a penny' sometimes. You had to put a penny in the slot on the lavatories in public places. There's nothing to cringe about. STs can be sanitary towels as well as stocking tops.

I certainly wore a liberty bodice over a vest in winter. I don't remember Gregory's Powder. I knew a girl who used to lie to her mother about headaches because she liked the taste of the fruity aspirins.