The spelling was intended as a derisive approximation of the Irish-American pronounciation of the term "Bowery Boys"-- which was used by non-Irish-Americans in that clever, broad sort of way that we have of denoting the unassimilated--"Hey Goobah! No tickee no shirtee! My name is Yon Yonsen, I come from Visconsin! Chizbugah, Chizbugah! Vahs you dere, Sharlie?"