Виктор Евгеньевич Никитин
Исторический английский фразеологический словарь
Rouge et Noir. French for “red and black,” the alternate 308colour of the diamonds that distinguish the spaces on the gaming-table.
Roughriders. The name borne by expert horsemen in Natal, who dispense with saddles.
Roulette. Expresses the French for “a little wheel.”
Roumania. As its name implies, this was anciently a Roman province.
Roumelia. A Turkish corruption of Roumania, “the country of the Romans.”
Roundheads. The Parliamentary soldiers under Cromwell, so called from the custom of the Puritans of cropping the hair close to the head, as opposed to that of the Cavaliers, who wore it long.
Rouser. An Americanism for what we in this country style a “Pick-me-up.”
Rout. A fashionable assembly, so called from the German rotte and Celtic “rhauter,” a crowd. The name is now never heard, but what are called “Rout Seats,” generally requisitioned for such gatherings, are still let out on hire.
Rowton Houses. The name given to large blocks of tenements exclusively designed for the accommodation of unmarried clerks and others employed in the city. The foundation of the late Lord Rowton.
Roxburgh. From the Celtic ross, a headland, the castle on the promontory.
Roxburghe. A superior style of bookbinding, so called from that uniformly adopted by the Roxburghe Club, a society established for printing rare books, and named after John, Duke of Roxburghe, a famous collector of works of art and literature.
Royalists. The adherents of Charles I. in the Civil War.
Royal Maunds. The name given to doles of money corresponding to the years of life attained by the reigning monarch to the poor on “Maundy Thursday.” 309This custom has been in vogue ever since the time of Edward III.
Royal Oak. An inn sign which had its origin during the Restoration period, in compliment to Charles II. See “Oak Apple Day.”
Royal Oak Day. Another name for “Oak Apple Day.”
Rufus. The surname of William II. on account of his florid complexion; rufus is the Latin for “ruddy.”
Rugby. A corruption of the Saxon Rothby, “red village,” in allusion to its soil.
Rum. A West Indian word for spirit distilled from cane juice.
Run. An Americanism used as a verb for “finance,” whether in relation to a person or a business enterprise. “Who’s running him?” means who is it that keeps him going, or on his feet?
Run Amuck. To run foul of a person or thing. The phrase is derived from the Malays, who, while under the influence of opium, rush through the streets with drawn daggers, crying: Amog! amog! (“Kill! kill!”), and threaten the lives of everyone they encounter.
Running Footman. A tavern sign in Mayfair, reminiscent of the days when running footmen, carrying a short staff of office, preceded the carriages of the wealthy. The object of this custom was to give timely notice of the impending arrival of their masters. The tavern in question, situated in Hayes’ Mews, was formerly the regular resort of running footmen and sedan chairmen.
Rupert’s Land. After Prince Rupert, one of the founders of the Hudson’s Bay Company.
Rupert Street. After Prince Rupert, who introduced his invention of “Prince Rupert’s Drops,” or glass bubblers, into England.
Russell Square. After Lord William Russell, the patriot, whose wife, Rachel, was the daughter of Thomas Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton, Marquis of Tavistock, 310Duke of Bedford, the ancestor of the present great ground landlord. The several streets of the same name are included in the estate.
Russell Street. In Bermondsey, after Richard Russell, a noted benefactor to the parochial charities during his life, and after his death in 1784. For other streets so denominated on the Bedford estate see “Russell Square.”
Russia. The country of the Russ, the tribe that first overran it.
Rutland. A corruption of the Anglo-Saxon Rothland, “red land,” so called on account of the colour of its soil.
Rutland Gate. After the town mansion of the Dukes of Rutland.
Rye Lane. Leads to “Peckham Rye.”
Ryot. A Hindoo peasant or cultivator of the soil, so called from the Arabic raaya, to pasture.
S
Sabbatarians. The followers of Brabourne, a Baptist minister, who held that the real Sabbath was the seventh day of the week, as enunciated in the Book of Genesis. This sect arose in 1628. Also known as “Seventh Day Baptists.”
Sabeans. The first idolaters, worshippers of the sun, moon, and stars as the visible representations of the Deity; so called after Sabi, the son of Seth.
Sack. A dry wine of great repute in Elizabethan times, so called from the French sec, dry.
Sackville Street. Built upon in 1679–that is, twenty years after “Air Street”–this thoroughfare was named in honour of Charles Sackville, Earl of Dorset, one of the favourites of Charles II.
Sacramentarians. The designation of the Calvinists, 311or those who denied the Real Presence in the Eucharist.
Sacrilege. Literally the act of despoiling that which is sacred.
Sadler’s Wells Theatre. Originally a “Musick House” in connection with a Spa opened by Mr Sadler, who, after digging for gravel in his garden in 1683, discovered an ancient “holy well” that had been stopped up since the Reformation.
Saffron Hill. From the saffron which grew abundantly in the grounds attached to Ely House, the town mansion of the bishops of Ely.
Sahara. Expresses the Arabic for “desert.”
Sailor King. William IV., who, having been bred to the sea in his youth, worked up his way from a midshipman to the position of Lord High Admiral. In his case promotion was no doubt easy.
St Albans. The scene of the martyrdom of St Alban, A.D. 297, in honour of whom Offa, King of Mercia, founded a Benedictine abbey.
St Andrew Undershaft. The Church of St Andrew in Leadenhall Street, so called from the tall shaft or Maypole which, bedecked with garlands on high festivals, stood within a few yards of its door. Since this shaft towered high above the steeple the church was said to be “under the shaft.” After the Reformation the shaft was taken down and kept in an adjacent alley, now called “Shaft Alley.” Thirty-two years later the popular voice declared it to be a relic of superstition, whereupon it was “raised off the hooks,” sawn into pieces, and burnt.
St Andrews. After St Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland, whose bones are enshrined in the Cathedral.
St Andrew’s Hill. From the church of St Andrew, at its south-western extremity.
St Bees. From an ancient nunnery founded in the seventh century by an Irish saint named Bega. Partly destroyed by the time of Henry I., it was then reconstituted 312as a priory by Randulp, Earl of Cumberland. This village is known chiefly on account of its college, the foundation of Dr Law, Bishop of Chester in 1806.
St Bride Street. From the neighbouring parish church of St Bride or Bridget.
St Clement Danes. Dedicated to St Clement, this parish church received the bones of Harold I. and many of his countrymen during the Danish occupation of England.
St David’s Day. The birthday (1st March) of St David, the patron saint of Wales, who when archbishop advised his countrymen to wear a leek in their caps, to distinguish them from their foes. In consequence of the precaution they won a decisive victory over the Saxons on this day, and the leek became the national emblem.
St Ethelburga’s. This, one of the most ancient churches in the city, was dedicated to St Ethelburga, the daughter of King Ethelbert, and a paragon of all the Christian virtues.
St Ethelreda’s. This beautiful city church in Ely Place, after having gone through many vicissitudes since the Reformation, is now once more a Roman Catholic place of worship. St Ethelreda was the daughter of Ethelred, King of the East Angles; her name is often corrupted into St Audrey. See “Tawdry.”
St George and Dragon. An inn sign after the patron saint of England.
St George’s Hall. This place of entertainment, now occupied by Messrs Maskelyne & Devant, was opened in 1867 as St George’s Opera House, so called on account of its location in the parish of St George, Hanover Square.
St George’s in the East. The modern designation of “Ratcliff Highway,” from the parish church dedicated to St George, patron saint of England.
St George’s Square. After the neighbouring church, dedicated to St George.
313St Grouse’s Day. The jocular term for the twelfth of August, when grouse shooting begins.
St Helena. This island was discovered on the Feast of St Helena, 1502.
St Helen’s Place. From the adjacent church of St Helen’s, dedicated to St Helena, the mother of Constantine. Thirty years later in 1180, William Fitzwilliam, a wealthy goldsmith, founded a priory of nuns in connection therewith.
St James’s Palace. Stands on the site of an ancient hospital for lepers dedicated to St James the Less, Bishop of Jerusalem. The original palace was built by Holbein for Henry VIII.
St James’s Square. Like the street of the same name, after St James’s Palace.
St John’s Gate. The last vestige of the ancient priory of St John of Jerusalem, the English seat of the Knights Hospitallers. The gateway now forms the headquarters of the St John’s Ambulance Association. Here William Cave, the printer, projected and published The Gentleman’s Magazine.
St John’s Wood. From the ancient “Abbey of the Holy Virgins of St John the Baptist,” which nestled among the now vanished woods in this neighbourhood.
St Katherine Coleman. Dedicated to St Katherine, this city church received its second name on account of its location in the garden of one Coleman, the builder of the street called after him.
St Katherine Cree. Originally a chapel dedicated to St Katherine in the parish of Holy Trinity (in the Minories). This on the abolition of the neighbouring benefices of Christ Church, St Mary Magdalen, and St Michael was made into a separate parish of Christ Church, and, while retaining the old name, came to be known as “St Katherine Christi,” of which “Cree” is a corruption.
St Katherine’s Docks. From an ancient hospital of St 314Katherine, displaced when these docks were constructed in 1828.
St Kitt’s Island. Discovered by Columbus, it was named by him after St Christopher, his patron saint.
St Lawrence. The gulf of this name was first entered, and the navigation of the great river embarked upon, on the Feast of St Lawrence, 1500.
St Lawrence Jewry. The church dedicated to St Lawrence in the Jewry. See “Old Jewry.”
St Leger Stakes. See “Doncaster St Leger.”
St Lubbock. The popular nickname of Lord Avebury, formerly Sir John Lubbock, to whom our countrymen are indebted for the introduction of legalised Bank Holidays.
St Margaret Pattens. This church received its name from the gilt spots, or patines, with which its roof was anciently decorated. A paten is the circular gold dish which covers the chalice at the altar.
St Martin’s Lane. From the parish church of St Martin in the Fields.
St Martin’s-le-Grand. The official designation of the buildings collectively comprised in the headquarters of the General Post Office. This is because the original edifice occupies the site of an ancient college church dedicated to St Martin-le-Grand, the foundation of Within, King of Kent in 750, and invested with the privilege of sanctuary under a charter of William the Conqueror.
St Mary-Axe. From a vanished church of St Mary that stood opposite to a shop which had an axe for its sign. Originally “St Mary-by-the-Axe.”
St Mary-le-Bow. See “Bow Church.”
St Mary Woolnoth. Dedicated to the Virgin; this church was so called because it stood nough, or nigh, to the ancient wool beam or staple.
St Michael’s Mount. Anciently the seat of a religious 315house, to the monks of which, as tradition states, St Michael once appeared on the crag, where in later years a castle was built, the exact spot being indicated by a stone lantern, since known as “St Michael’s Chair.”
St Olave’s. A corruption of “St Olafs,” this church having been dedicated to Olaf, King of Norway, who Christianised his country, and at the invitation of Ethelred came over to England to render aid in the work of expelling the Danes.
St Pancras. This parish takes its name from the ancient church in Old St Pancras Road dedicated to the boy saint who was martyred by Diocletian. A representation of this youth being attacked by wild dogs may be seen on the stone bridge over the Regent’s Canal, which serves as a boundary mark to the parish.
St Partridge’s Day. A popular nickname for “Partridge Day.”
St Paul of the Cross. See “Passionists.”
St Petersburg. Founded by Peter the Great, and dedicated to St Peter, whose church is situated within the citadel.
St Sepulchre’s. The foundation of this church was the outcome of the Crusades, in honour of the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem. Appropriately enough, the bell of the modern edifice gave warning to the unhappy inmates of the condemned cell in Newgate Prison over the way of their approaching last hour.
St Sophia. This beautiful mosque at Constantinople, although originally a Christian cathedral, so far from having been dedicated to any St Sophia, was called Hagia Sopia, “Holy Wisdom”–i.e. the eternal wisdom of God manifested in the Second Person of the Trinity.
St Stephen’s. The House of Commons bears this name because, in the absence of a separate building, its members held their sittings in the Chapel of St Stephen’s, Westminster Abbey, until that edifice was burned down, 16th October 1834.
316St Swithin’s Day. The day of the attempted reinterment (15th July) of the body of St Swithin, preceptor of King Ethelwulf and Bishop of Rochester, whose death took place 2nd July 862. Not regarding himself worthy to be “laid” within the sacred edifice, he requested that he might be buried just outside the door in the churchyard, so that the faithful would walk over his grave. Although they acceded to this last wish, the monks decided afterwards to lay him inside the church; but their design was frustrated for forty successive days by a pouring rain, until at last they desisted from the attempt. This circumstance gave rise to the saying that “If it rains on St Swithin’s day it will rain for forty days.”
St Valentine’s Day. The connection between St Valentine and the poetical epistles that were formerly interchanged between young lovers on the 14th of February is somewhat remote. On this day the good Christian Bishop was beheaded at Rome in the year 278. Long before this, however, Roman youths and maidens had followed the custom of selecting a lover for the year by shaking up the names of their favourites, written on separate tablets, in a box. This arose out of the old notion that birds begin to pair on the 14th of February. The martyrdom of Bishop Valentine on this day therefore actuated the Christians to style their selected lover their Valentine, and the presents they exchanged in modern times bore the same name.
Salic Law. The ancient Frankish law by which females were excluded from the throne. This was originally confined to what were called “Salic Lands,” either, as some say, from the salle, or hall of the owner, or, according to others, from the Salian Franks, those bordering on the Sale or Yssel River; the enactment eventually applied to the heritage of the Frankish kingdom.
Salisbury Square. This, like the street and court of the same name, marks the site of the town mansion and grounds of the bishops of Salisbury.
317Salop. See “Shropshire.”
Salt Lake City. The hot-bed of the Mormons, founded on the borders of the Great Salt Lake, so called on account of the saline character of its waters.
Salutation. An inn sign in honour of the Salutation of the Virgin.
Salviati. See “Del Salviati.”
Salzburg. The fortified town on the Salza River.
Samaria. After Shemer, the owner of the hill which, as we are told in 1 Kings xvi. 24, Omri bought for two talents of silver, “and built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, after the name of Shemer, owner of the hill, Samaria.”
Sambo. The generic name of a North American Negro; derived from the native Zambo, the offspring of a black and a Mulatto.
Sanci Diamond. One of the great gems of the world, weighing 106 carats, originally the property of a French nobleman of this name, and purchased in 1835 by the Czar of Russia for half-a-million roubles.
Sandbaggers. A modern street terror in American cities while the police are looking the other way, so called because they stun their victims with elongated bags of hard, wet sand, and then rob them at leisure.
Sandhillers. A name given in America to the descendants of the white labourers, who, ousted from their employment when slavery came in, sought the sand-hills amid the pine forests of Georgia and South Carolina.
Sandow Girl. A physical culture girl trained at the Academy of Eugene Sandow, or at home by means of appliances advertised in connection therewith. Also known as the “Symmetrion Girl” from the name on the familiar posters. The Sandow or Symmetrion Girls proved a great attraction in the Athletic Scene of The Dairymaids at the Apollo Theatre.
Sandwich. The sand village.
Sandwiches. After John Montague, Earl of Sandwich, 318whose chief claim to celebrity lay in the fact that he was an inveterate gamester. It is on record that he often remained engrossed in play for thirty hours at a stretch without partaking of a meal. From time to time, however, he would ask the waiter to bring him a slice of meat between two pieces of bread, as a stay to the appetite. The waiter called this improvised meal a “Sandwich,” and by that name it has ever since been known.
Sandwich Islands. Named by Captain Cook in honour of Lord Sandwich, First Lord of the Admiralty, at the time when they were discovered by him.
Sandy. The nickname of a Scotsman, being short for Alexander, the most common Christian name to be met with in North Britain.
San Francisco. Dedicated to St Francis, this Spanish-American city really received its name from a coast settlement of missionaries styled “San Francisco de Costa Dolores” as far back as September 1776.
Sankey’s Horse. The regimental nickname of the 39th Foot. This was merited in India, when they were called upon to do temporary service on horseback under Colonel Sankey.
Sansculottes. The lowest orders of the people during the French Revolution. This, literally “without breeches,” was the scornful title at first bestowed by the aristocrats upon the Democratic party on account of their neglectful attire. A little while later the Red Republicans accepted it with pride as the password for patriotism.
San Salvador. This being the first land sighted in the New World by Columbus, he honoured it with the name of the “Holy Saviour,” as a perpetual expression of thanksgiving.
Sans Souci. This, the French for “free and easy,” or “without care,” was the name borne by a famous place of amusement originally built by Dibdin as a bijou theatre in Leicester Square.
Santa Fe. Spanish for “Holy Faith.”
319Santa Cruz. Spanish for “Holy Cross.”
Santiago. From the cathedral (in the city of Spain so named) containing the bones of St Jago, or James the Less, the national patron saint.
Saraband. After Zarabanda, a celebrated dancer of Seville, who invented it.
Saracens. From the Arabic sharkeyn, “eastern people”; originally the designation of the Bedouins of Eastern Arabia. By the Crusaders it was applied to the Mohammedans generally. See “Moors.”
Saracen’s Head. An inn sign of the time of the Crusades. Lest it might be thought that this was complimentary to the enemies of Christianity, mention may be made of the fact that the head of the Saracen was represented as severed.
Saragossa. A corruption of the Roman name Cæsarea Augusta.
Saratoga. Indian for “miraculous waters from the rock,” touching the famous mineral springs.
Saratoga Trunk. The popular type of travelling trunk in the United States, so called because it was first used by visitors to Saratoga Springs.
Sarcophagus. A Greek compound of sarkos, flesh, and phargo, to eat. The term was originally applied to a receptacle for the dead, because the early examples were made out of a kind of limestone which was thought to possess the property of consuming a corpse in a very short time.
Sardines. From Sardinia, in the waters of which island the true species of this fish abound.
Sardinia. Called Sandaliotis by the Greeks on account of its resemblance to a human footprint; this name was changed by the Romans to Sardo. At a later period the island was called Sardonion, from a poisonous herb, transplanted from Sardis in Asia Minor, which brought about a twitching of the muscles of the face 320resembling laughter; hence the phrase to “Smile sardonically.”
Sardinia Street. From the Sardinian Chapel built in 1648 in connection with the residence of the Sardinian Ambassador at the time when the island of Sardinia was nominally a kingdom, but really in the possession of Spain.
Sardonic Smile. See “Sardinia.”
Sarsenet. A fine silk originally of Saracenic manufacture.
Saturday. This, the seventh day of the week, was dedicated by the Romans to Saturn. As, however, all the other week-days were named by the people of Northern Europe in accordance with Scandinavian mythology, one must incline to the opinion that this was named after Sæter, a water deity. Its Anglo-Saxon designation was Sæterdæg.
Saturnalia. The great winter festival of the Romans in honour of Saturn, the god of agriculture.
Saunders Blue. An easy corruption of the French Cendres bleus, “blue ashes,” calcined bluestone being the substance from which this pigment is obtained.
Sauterne. A French wine produced at the place of the name, in the department of Gironde.
Saved my Bacon. This expression originated during the Civil War, when housewives took extraordinary measures to save the bacon stored up for winter consumption from the greedy appetites of soldiers on the march.
Savile Row. After Dorothy Savile, who, marrying into the Burlington family, received this portion of the estate as her separate property.
Savoy. A cabbage originally introduced from the French department of this name.
Savoy Street. From the Savoy Chapel, the original of which, prior to its destruction by fire, 7th July 1864, was the only remaining portion of the ancient Savoy Palace built by Peter of Savoy, uncle to the queen of Henry III., in 1249.
321Sawney. A variant of “Sandy.”
Saxons. From the seax, the short crooked knife with which this tribe were armed. Sahs is the Old German for knife. Since the days of Daniel O’Connell Irish patriots have been fond of referring to the English people as Saxons, the natural enemies of the Celts.
S’Blood. A trooper’s corruption of “His Blood,” or the precious blood of the Redeemer. This species of profanity survives in the vulgar swear-word “Bloody.”
Scales of Justice. The ancient Egyptians believed that the good deeds of a soul after death would be weighed against his evil deeds. The Koran likewise teaches that the merits and demerits of departed souls are balanced in the scales of the Archangel Gabriel; hence the phrase now popular all the civilised world over.
Scalper. An Americanism for one who speculates in railroad tickets, and consequently obtains them at a reduction of their top prices.
Scaramouch. A character in the old Italian comedy, the prototype of the modern clown, so called from scaramuccia, a skirmish.
Scarborough. The fortified scar or precipitous cliff, so called on account of the castle built about 1136.
Scarborough Warning. A warning given too late to be taken advantage of. In 1557 Thomas Stafford seized Scarborough Castle before the townsfolk had the least intelligence of his approach. After taking possession he advised them to fly from the town and leave their belongings.
Scarlet. From the Persian sakarlat, “bright red.”
Scavenger’s Daughter. A corruption of Skevington’s Daughter, this instrument of torture being the invention of William Skevington, Lieutenant of the Tower, temp. Henry VIII. He called it his daughter because it emanated from his own brain. Those who were fated to suffer by it sadly consented, as the saying was, to “Kiss the Scavenger’s Daughter.”
322Schaffhausen. Literal German for “sheep-houses” or pens.
Schiedam. Another name for Hollands, or Dutch gin, from the place where this native spirit is distilled.
Schooner. This kind of vessel received its name from the exclamation of a spectator at the time when its earliest example was launched: “Look, she schoons!”
Schottische. Expresses the German for a Scottish dance, a variation of the polka, in three-quarter time. The Scots, however, repudiate its invention. It is not improbable that a Scotsman, sojourning in the Fatherland, blundered into this step through his inability to dance the polka correctly.
Scilly Isles. After the name of one of the smallest, in proximity to a very dangerous rock similar to that of Scylla in Sicily which, according to Homer, was the abode of a monster so denominated.
Scissors-tail. A South American bird which in the course of its flights opens and shuts its tail for the purpose of entrapping the flies that constitute its prey.
Scorching. A bicycling term which, curiously enough, only came into vogue after the possibility of realising it had been removed. In the days of the old “Bone-shaker,” before rubber tyres were heard of, there would have been great likelihood of setting the wooden machine on fire by furious riding on the part of an expert.
Scotch Reel. See “Reel.”
Scot-free. A phrase derived from the old legal exaction “Scot and Lot,” the former being derived from the Anglo-Saxon sceat, pay, and the latter meaning a tribute allotted to every man according to his means. It was rare indeed that anyone got off “Scot-free” in ancient times.
Scotia. From the Celtic scot, wanderer, with the suffix ia, country; the ancient designation of the Highlands, now, with the Lowlands, called “Scotland.”
323Scotists. Those who accepted the doctrine of John Duns Scotus relative to the Immaculate Conception, in opposition to the “Thomists.”
Scotland. See “Scotia.”
Scotland Yard. On the site of the original Scotland Yard stood an ancient palace appropriated to the Scottish kings, who were required to pay homage once a year to the English sovereign at Westminster Abbey. The last Scottish monarch so accommodated was Margaret, the sister of Henry VII.
Scots. See “Scotia.”
Scottish Covenanters. See “Covenanters.”
Scottish Hogarth. The surname of David Allan of Alloa, whose portraits and historical paintings occupy a high position in the esteem of his countrymen.
Scottish Presbyterians. The successors of the Scottish Covenanters, and founders of the Established Church of Scotland. See “Presbyterians.”
Scowerers. Eighteenth-century rakes who scoured the streets of London by night, overturning the “Old Charlies” in their boxes, and molesting peaceable citizens.
Scratched Horse. One that has its name struck out of the final list of runners in a race. Those who have backed their money on it swear a little, but no one else cares a jot for their discomfiture.
Screw. Colloquial for “wages.” See “Raise your Screw.”
Screwed. Drunk. This is simply a play on the word “Tight.”
Screw of Tobacco. So called because it is screwed up in a paper.
Scriptures. Expresses the plural of the Latin scriptura, a writing, from the verb scribere, to write. The Bible is a collection of books or writings.
Scroll of Fame. The word “Scroll” is a corruption of 324“Roll,” relative to paper, although from “scroll” we have derived the term “Schedule.” See “Roll Call.”
Scullery. The annexe to a kitchen, where the dishes and pots are washed up, so called from the Norman-French esculle, a porringer or dish. The man-servant or boy whose work lay in the scullery was in former days called a “Scullion.”
S’Death. A softened form of the profane oath “His Blood,” in reference to the Saviour.
Sea of Marmora. From the Latin marmor, marble, which for centuries has been quarried on a small island at its western extremity.
Sebastopol. From the Greek Sebastopolis, “august city.”
Secretary Bird. A South African bird distinguished by a tuft of feathers on each side of its head which form a fanciful resemblance to quill pens stuck behind the ear.
Sectarians. The general name for Dissenters attached to any one of the numerous sects or denominations outside the Established Church.
Secular Clergy. See “Regular Clergy.”
Secularist. From the Latin seculum, an age, a generation; one who advocates the happiness or well-being of the community during the present life, leaving the future completely out of count.
Sedan-chairs. First made at Sedan, France.
See how it pans out. Originally a miners’ phrase in the Far West. To separate the gold grains from the earth in which they are found a pan of water is brought into service; when the pan is shaken the gold collects at the bottom.
Seekers. The original designation of the Quakers, because they sought the truth with the solicitude of Nicodemus, the Jewish ruler (John iii. 1-21).
Seething Lane. A corruption of Sidon Lane, after the name of the first builder on the land.
325Selkirk’s Island. Also called the isle of “Juan Fernandez.”
Seltzer Water. A corrupted spelling of “Seltsers,” the name of a village near Limburg in Prussia famous for its mineral springs.
Senate. The Upper House of the United States Congress. The term properly implies an elder, from the Latin senis, an old man.
Senegambia. The territory situated between the Senegal and Gambia Rivers.
Sent to Coventry. As its name implies, Coventry was in olden times a great centre of religious life, touching the number of its conventual establishments. Soldiers sent to the garrison there soon discovered that no woman would speak to them. Hence to be sent to Coventry was a great hardship, since it meant being cut off from “life” in every form, and female intercourse particularly.
Separatists. Another name for the Home Rulers during the lifetime of Mr Parnell. It implied virtual separation from English rule.
Sepia. Greek for “cuttle-fish,” from the inky secretion under the glands of which this pigment is obtained.
September. The seventh month of the Roman year, counting from March.
