Виктор Евгеньевич Никитин
Исторический английский фразеологический словарь
Demijohn. A corruption of Damaghan, in Persia, a town anciently famous for its glass-ware.
75Democracy. From the Greek demos, people, and kratein, to rule. Government by the people.
Denbigh. From Dinbach, the Celtic for “a little fort.”
Denmark. Properly Danmark, the mark or boundary of the land of the Danes.
Depot. The American term for a railway station.
Deptford. The deep ford over the Ravensbourne.
Derby. Saxon for “deer village.” The Derby stakes at Epsom were founded by Edward Smith Stanley, Earl of Derby, in 1780.
Derrick. The old name for a gibbet and now for a high crane. So called after a seventeenth-century hangman at Tyburn.
Derry Down. The opening words of the Druidical chorus as they proceeded to the sacred grove to gather mistletoe at the winter solstice. Derry is Celtic for “grove.”
Dessborough Place. From Dessbrowe House, in which resided the brother-in-law of Oliver Cromwell.
Detroit. French for “strait.”
Deuteronomy. A Greek word signifying the second giving of the Law by Moses.
Devereaux Court. See “Essex Street.”
Devil’s Sonata. One of Tartini’s most celebrated compositions. He dreamt that the Evil One appeared to him playing a sonata on the violin. At its conclusion his visitor asked: “Tartini, canst thou play this?” Awaking with his mind still full of the grotesque music, Tartini played it over, and then recorded it permanently on paper.
Devil to Pay. When money was lost by unsuccessful litigation it passed into the hands of lawyers, who were thought to spend it where they spent much of their time–viz. at the Devil Tavern in Fleet Street. The money, therefore, went to the Devil.
76Devizes. From the Latin Devisæ, denoting the point where the old Roman road passed into the district of the Celts.
Devon. After a Celtic tribe, the Damnonii.
Devonshire House. The town house of the Duke of Devonshire.
Devonshire Square. From the mansion of William Cavendish, Earl of Devonshire, who died here in 1628.
Diamond King. The late Mr Alfred Beit, the South African financier, whose wealth rivalled that of the Rothschilds.
Dickey. A shirt front, which often has to do duty for a clean shirt. So called from the German decken, to hide.
Diddler. A schemer, an artful dodger. After Jeremy Diddler, the chief character in the old farce, “Raising the Wind.”
Die Hards. The 57th Foot. When the regiment was surrounded at Albuera, their Colonel cried: “Die hard, my lads; die hard!” And fighting, they died.
Digger Indians. Tribes of the lowest class who live principally upon roots. They have never been known to hunt.
Diggings. A Bohemian term for “lodgings.” Not from the Californian gold diggings, as generally supposed, but from the Galena lead miners of Wisconsin, who called both their mines and their underground winter habitations “diggings.”
Dime. A ten-cent piece, from the French dixme, or dîme, tenth–i.e. of a dollar.
Dimity. First brought from Damietta, Egypt.
Dine with Duke Humphrey. An old saying of those who were fated to go dinnerless. When the “Good Duke Humphrey,” son of Henry IV., was buried at St Albans, a monument to his memory was to be erected in St Paul’s Cathedral. At that time, as for long afterwards, the nave of our national fane was 77a fashionable promenade. When the promenaders left for dinner, others who had no dinners to go to explained that they would stay behind in order to look for the Good Duke’s monument.
Dining-room Servant. An Americanism for waiter or male house servant.
Diorama. See “Panorama.”
Dirty Dick’s. The noted tavern in Bishopgate, said to have been associated with Nathaniel Bentley, the miser, who never washed himself. As a matter of fact, Dirty Dick was an ironmonger in Leadenhall Street. After his death his effects were bought and exhibited at the Bishopgate tavern, together with his portrait as a sign.
Dirty Shirts. The 101st Foot, who were hotly engaged at the battle of Delhi in their shirt sleeves.
Dissenters. Synonymous with the Nonconformists. Those who dissented from the doctrines of the Church of England and those likewise who, at a later period, separated from the Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
Distaffs’ Day. The old name for 7th January, when, Christmas being over with Twelfth Night, women returned to their distaffs or spindles.
Divan. A Turkish word signifying a Council of State, from the fact that the Turkish Council Chamber has low couches ranged round its walls, plentifully supplied with cushions. The name has been imported into Western Europe specifically to imply a low-cushioned sofa or couch.
Dixie’s Land. The Negroes’ paradise in slavery days. Dixie had a tract of land on Manhattan Island. He treated his slaves well, but as they increased sold many of them off to masters further afield. They always looked back to Dixie’s Land as an ideal locality, associated with heaven, and when one of them died his kith and kin said he had gone to Dixie’s Land.
Dizzy. The nickname of Benjamin Disraeli, afterwards 78Earl of Beaconsfield, the great political opponent of Mr Gladstone.
Doctor. There are three kinds of Doctors–of Law, Physic, and Divinity. The first and the last are essentially University degrees, with which the vulgar orders of the people have little or no acquaintance. They know only of one “Doctor,” the medical practitioner, and since he wears a frock coat and a silk hat he is entitled to all the respect that they can pay him.
Doctors’ Commons. Anciently a college for Professors of Canon and Civil Law, who dined in common on certain days in each term, similar to students at the Inns of Court before they are called to the Bar.
Dog and Duck. A tavern sign indicative of the old sport of duck hunting by spaniels in a pond.
Dog-cart. Originally one in which sportsmen drove their pointers and setters to the field.
Dog his Footsteps. To follow close to his heels like a dog.
Dog in the Manger. From the old story told of the dog who did not require the hay for himself, yet refused to allow the ox to come near it.
Dog Rose. From the old idea that the root of this rose-tree was an antidote for the bite of a mad dog.
Dog Watch. A corruption of “Dodge Watch,” being a watch of two hours only instead of four, by which dodging seamen gradually shift their watch on successive days.
Dolgelley. Celtic for “dale of hazels.”
Dollar. From the German Thaler, originally Joachims-Thaler, the silver out of which this coin was struck having been found in the Thal or Valley of St Joachim in Bohemia.
Dollars and Dimes. An Americanism for money generally. See “Dime.”
Dolly Shop. The old name for a rag shop which had a 79black doll over the door for a sign. At one time old clothes were shipped to the Negroes in the southern states of America.
Dolly Varden. The name of a flowered skirt, answering to the description of that worn by Dolly Varden in Dickens’s “Barnaby Rudge.” This dress material became very popular after the novel was published. It also gave rise to a song, of which the burden was: “Dressed in a Dolly Varden.”
Dolphin. A gold coin introduced by Charles V. of France, also Dauphin of Vienne.
Dominica. Expresses the Spanish for Sunday, the day on which Columbus discovered this island.
Dominicans. Friars of the Order of St Dominic; also called Black Friars, from their habits.
Dominoes. A game invented by two French monks, who amused themselves with square, flat stones marked with spots. The winner declared his victory by reciting the first line of the Vesper service: “Dixit Dominus Domino Meo.” When, later, the game became the recreation of the whole convent, the Vesper line was abbreviated into “Domino,” and the stones themselves received the name of “Dominoes.”
Don. A corruption of the Celtic tain, river.
Donatists. A sect of the fourth century, adherents of Donatus, Bishop of Numidia.
Doncaster St Leger. The stakes at Doncaster races founded by Colonel Anthony St Leger in 1776.
Donegal. Gaelic for the “fortress of the west”–viz. Donegal Castle, held by the O’Donnels of Tyrconnel.
Donet. The old name for a Grammar, after Donatus, the grammarian and preceptor of St Jerome.
Donkey. An ass, from its dun colour.
Don’t care a Dam. When this expression first obtained currency a dam was the smallest Hindoo coin, not worth an English farthing.
80Don’t care a Jot. See “Iota.”
Doomster. The official in the Scottish High Court who pronounced the doom to the prisoner, and also acted as executioner. In Jersey and the Isle of Man a judge is styled a “Deemster.”
Dope Habit. An Americanism for the morphia habit. “Dope” is the Chinese word for opium. This in the United States is now applied to all kinds of strong drugs or bromides prepared from opium.
Dorcas Society. From the passage in Acts ix. 39: “And all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made while she was with them.”
Dorchester. The Roman camp in the district of the Dwr-trigs or water dwellers. See “Dorset.”
Dorset. The Anglo-Saxon Dwrset, or water settlement, so called from the British tribe the Dwr-trigs, “water dwellers,” who peopled it.
Dorset Square. After Viscount Portman, the ground landlord, who, before he was raised to the peerage, was for many years Member for Dorsetshire.
Dorset Street. From the mansion and grounds of the Earl of Dorset of the Restoration period. Here stood also the Dorset Gardens Theatre.
Doss. Slang for a sleep, a shakedown. From the old word dossel, a bundle of hay or straw, whence was derived Doss, a straw bed.
Doss-house. A common lodging-house. See “Doss.”
Douay Bible. The Old Testament translation of the Latin Vulgate printed at the English College at Douay, France, in 1609.
Doublet. So called because it was double lined or wadded, originally for purposes of defence.
Douglas. From its situation at the juncture of the two streams, the Dhoo, black, and Glass, grey.
Douro. From the Celtic Dwr, water.
81Dover House. The residence of the Hon. George Agar Ellis, afterwards Lord Dover.
Dover Street. After Henry Jermyn, Lord Dover, who died at his residence here in 1782.
Dowager. The widow of a person of high rank, because she enjoyed a substantial dower or dowry for her maintenance during life.
Dowgate. From the Celtic Dwr, water. Hence a water gate on the north bank of the Thames.
Downing Street. From the mansion of Sir George Downing, M.P., of the Restoration period.
Down with the Dust. A gold miner’s expression in the Far West, where money is scarce and necessary commodities are in general bartered for with gold dust.
Doyley. From the Brothers Doyley, linen drapers in the Strand, who introduced this species of table napery.
Do your Level Best. This expression means that, while striving to the utmost you must also act strictly straightforward.
Drachenfels. German for “dragon rocks.” Here Siegfried, the hero of the Niebelungenlied, slew the dragon.
Draft on Aldgate Pump. A punning phrase for a worthless bill or cheque.
Draggletail. A slovenly woman who allows her skirts to draggle or trail in the mire of the street.
Dragoman. From the Turkish drukeman, an interpreter. A dragoman is in the East what a “Cicerone” is in Italy and elsewhere in Western Europe.
Dragoons. From the ancient musket called a dragon, or “spitfire.” The muzzle was embellished with a representation of a dragon.
Draper. One who dealt in cloth for draping only, as distinct from a mercer, milliner, or mantle-maker.
Drapers’ Gardens. The property of the Drapers’ Company, whose hall is situated here.
82Drat it. A corruption of “Odd rot it,” from the old oath, “God rot them.”
Drawer. The old name for an inn or tavern keeper’s assistant, who drew the beer from the casks.
Drawing-room. Originally “Withdrawing-room” to which the ladies withdrew after dinner while the gentlemen sat over their wine.
Draw it mild. Originally a tavern phrase, when anyone preferred ordinary ale to hot spiced liquor.
Draw the Long Bow. In allusion to the exaggerated skill of the English archers prior to the introduction of gunpowder.
Dress Circle. That portion of a theatre which, before the introduction of stalls, was set apart for the superior sections of the audience.
Dressed up to the Knocker. To the extreme height of his resources. Before the establishment of the modern police system door knockers were placed as high as possible to prevent them from being wrenched off by sportive wags after nightfall.
Dresser. The kitchen sideboard, on which the meat was dressed before serving it up in the dining-chamber. The collection of cups, plates, and dishes which distinguishes a dresser originally had a place on a wide shelf or board over this meat dresser; hence cup-board.
Drinks like a Fish. Ready to swallow any quantity of liquor that may be offered. A great many fish have their mouths wide open whilst swimming.
Drive a Bargain. An expression meaning to knock down the original price asked, in punning allusion to “driving” a nail.
Drop o’ the Crater. See “Mountain Dew.”
Druid. In the Celtic Derwydd, derived from dewr, oak, and gwydd, knowledge. A priest who worshipped and offered sacrifices under an oak.
83Drum. The name for a fashionable evening party of bygone days, from the noise made by the card players.
Drummers. An Americanism for commercial travellers, who are engaged in beating up trade.
Drunkard’s Cloak. A large wooden crinoline that hung from a drunkard’s neck to the ground, causing every bone in his body to ache owing to the weight resting on his shoulders. The instrument resembled an inverted flower pot, having a hole in the top for his head to be thrust through. Under this drastic treatment he soon became sober.
Drunk as a Fiddler. The fiddler was generally incapable of discoursing further music half way through the night’s jollification, because the dancers freely plied him with drink.
Drunk as a Lord. When George the Third was King, and long afterwards, the fine old English gentleman acted up to his character by using strong language and imbibing strong potations. To be “drunk as a lord” was the surest mark of gentility, and a “three bottle man” a pattern of sobriety. After dining it was considered no disgrace to roll helplessly under the table.
Drury Lane. From Drury House, the residence of Sir William Drury, temp. William III.
Dublin. From Dubh-linn, “black pool.”
Dub Up. An expression derived from the very general custom of dubbing or touching a man on the shoulder when arresting him for debt.
Ducat. Duke’s money, anciently struck in the Duchy of Apulia, Sicily.
Duchess Street. After Lady Cavendish, who became the wife of the second Duke of Portland.
Ducking Stool. An instrument for the punishment of scolding wives. This public ducking in a pond effectually served to cool their temper for the time being.
84Duck’s Foot Lane. Properly “Duke’s Foot Lane,” the footway leading from the town house of the Earls of Suffolk down to the Thames.
Dude. An American name for a fop, derived from a very old English word, “dudes,” whence we have the slang term “Duds,” for clothes.
Dudley. From the castle built by Dodo, a Saxon prince, and ley, “meadow.”
Duds. See “Dude.”
Dug-out. A Far West Americanism for a boat or canoe hewn out of a large tree log.
Dukeries. That portion of Nottinghamshire distinguished for the number of ducal residences, of which Welbeck Abbey is perhaps the most admired.
Duke Street. In Aldgate, after the Dukes of Norfolk. Near Smithfield, the ancient property of the Dukes of Brittany. In Grosvenor Square, after the Duke of Cumberland. Off Langham Place, after the Duke of Portland. Near Manchester Square, after the Duke of Manchester. In the Strand, after George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham.
Dulwich. The corruption of Dalewich, the village in the dale.
Duma. Russian for Parliament or popular representation.
Dumb Ox. One of the sobriquets of St Thomas Aquinas, from the silence with which he pursued his studies. His master, Albertus Magnus, however, predicted that “this dumb ox will one day fill the world with his bellowing.”
Dumping. A word which has come into prominence relative to Mr Chamberlain’s Fiscal Policy. In various forms the verb dump may be met with in Teutonic and Scandinavian tongues, meaning to “pitch down,” “throw down in a lump,” etc. etc. A “Dump Cart” in America is one that tilts up in front, and so “dumps” its load behind.
85Dun. A persistent creditor. After Joe Dun, a noted bailiff, who never failed to bring a debtor to book. People used to say: “Why don’t you Dun him for the debt?” meaning they would send Joe Dun to make him pay or arrest him.
Dunce. From John Duns Scotus, who, it is said, gave no proof of his remarkable attainments in his early scholastic days.
Dundee. A corruption of Duntay, the hill fort on the Tay.
Dunedin. See “Edinburgh.”
Dungeness. A corruption of Danger Ness, the Headland of Danger.
Dunkirk. Expresses the “Church in the Dunes,” or sand-hills, built by St Eloi in the seventh century.
Durham. A corruption of Dunholm, from its situation on a hill surrounded by the river.
Dusseldorf. The village on the Dussel.
Dutchman. A contemptuous epithet applied to our phlegmatic enemies during the wars with Holland.
Dyers’ Buildings. The site of an ancient almshouse of the Dyers’ Company.
E
Eagle. An inn sign, the cognisance of Queen Mary.
Earl Street. After Charles Marsham, Earl of Romney.
Earl’s Court. From the Earl of Warwick, whose estate it was until, by the marriage of the Dowager Countess of Warwick with Lord Holland, it passed into her husband’s family.
East Anglia. A name still popular as defining the eastern counties. This was one of the seven divisions or petty kingdoms of England under the Angles or Saxons.
86Eastcheap. The eastern chepe, or market, of the city of London.
Easter. From the Teutonic Ostara, goddess of light or spring; rendered by the Anglo-Saxons Eastre. This great spring festival lasted eight days.
Easter Island. The name given to it by Jacob Roggevin when he visited the island on Easter Sunday, 1722.
East Sheen. A name reminiscent of the original designation of “Richmond.”
Eat Dirt. An Americanism for a confession of penitence or absolute defeat in an argument.
Eat Humble Pie. In the days of sumptuous banquets of venison the lords of the feast reserved to themselves the flesh of the deer. The huntsmen and retainers had to be content with the heart, liver, and entrails, collectively called the “umbles,” which were made into monster pies.
Eat my own Words. To take them back again, to retract a statement.
Eaton Square. From Eaton Hall, near Chester, the seat of the Duke of Westminster, the ground landlord.
Eau de Cologne. A scent prepared at Cologne. The city itself is not sweet to the nostrils; it has been said that forty different smells may be distinguished there.
Eavesdropper. A corruption of Eavesdripper, one who, listening under the eaves of a house, caught the drips from the roof when it chanced to be raining.
Ebro. After the Iberi, who spread themselves over the country from the banks of this river. See “Iberia.”
Ebury Square. From the ancient manor of Eabury Farm, inherited by Mary Davies, and which, by her marriage, passed into the possession of the Grosvenor family.
Eccleston Square. From Eccleston, Cheshire, the country seat of the Grosvenors.
Ecuador. Expresses the Spanish for Equator.
87Edgar Atheling. Signifies “Edgar of noble descent.”
Edinburgh. The fortress or burgh built by Edwin, King of Northumbria. The Scots called it Dunedin.
Edinburgh of America. Albany, in the state of New York, so called on account of its magnificent public buildings and its commanding situation.
Edmonton. In Anglo-Saxon days Edmund’s Town.
Edmund Ironside. So called from the suit of chain mail that he wore. Notwithstanding this protection he was treacherously murdered after a reign of nine months only.
Edward the Confessor. The title bestowed upon the King of the Anglo-Saxons at his canonisation, on account of his remarkable asceticism, since, although he made the daughter of Earl Godwin his queen, he denied himself what are styled conjugal rights.
Edward the Martyr. Murdered at the instance of his stepmother at Corfe Castle after having reigned scarcely three years.
Eel Pie Island. From the invariable dinner dish served up to river excursionists.
Effra Road. At Camberwell, from the little river of the same name, now converted into a sewer.
Egalité. The name assumed by Philippe, Duc d’Orleans, the father of Louis Philippe, King of France, when, siding with the Republican Party in 1789, he accepted their motto: “Liberty, Fraternity, and Equality.” Four years later he met his death by the guillotine.
Ehrenbreitstein. Expresses the German for “Honour’s Broad Stone.” The castle stands on a precipitous rock, which well merits the description of the “Gibraltar of the Rhine.”
Eisteddfod. Celtic for a gathering of Welsh bards, from eistodd, to sit. As of old, the annual “Eisteddfod” is held for the encouragement of national music.
88Eldorado. California. Eldorado expresses the Spanish for “golden region.”
Electic Philosophers. Those who, agreeably to the Greek ek-lego, to pick out, selected what was best in the different schools or systems, and so built up one of their own.
Elephant and Castle. The famous landmark in South London derived its sign from the arms of the Cutlers’ Company. A tavern in St Pancras parish took its sign from the skeleton of an elephant, beside which was a flint-headed spear, dug up in the neighbourhood. The connection between these and the battle fought by the followers of Queen Boadicea against the Roman invaders was unmistakable.
Elephant stepped on his Purse. An Americanism implying that a creditor or some unlucky speculation has squeezed all the money out of a man.
Elgin Marbles. Brought from Greece by the seventh Earl of Elgin. Acquired by the nation for the British Museum in 1816.
Elia. The pseudonym of Charles Lamb for his “Essays” contributed to The London Magazine. This was the name of a gay, light-hearted foreigner, who fluttered about the South Sea House at the time when Lamb was a clerk there. At the moment of penning his signature to the first essay he bethought himself of that person, and substituted the name of Elia for his own.
Eltham. Anciently Ealdham, “the old home.” Here Anthony Bec, the “Battling Bishop of Durham,” built himself a palace midway in the thirteenth century. After his death it fell to the Crown, and became a Royal residence, until the time of James I. The original Banqueting-Hall, used in modern days as a barn, may yet be seen.
Ely Place. Marks the site of the residence of the Bishops of Ely.
89Ember Days. This term has no connection with embers or sackcloth and ashes as a penitential observance. The Saxons called them Ymbrine dagas, or “running days,” because they came round at regular seasons of the year.
Emerald Isle. Ireland, from its fresh verdure, due to its shores being washed by the warm waters of the “Gulf Stream.”
Empire Day. May 24th, formerly the Queen’s Birthday. In the last days of Victoria the British Empire was consolidated through the assistance lent by the Colonies to the Mother Country in the South African War. When, therefore, King Edward VII. came to the throne, the former Queen’s Birthday was invested with a greater significance than of old.
Empire State. New York, which, owing to position and commercial enterprise, has no rival among the other states of the Union.
Empire State of the South. Georgia, in consequence of its rapid industrial development.
Ena Road. In honour of Princess Ena, the consort of the young King of Spain.
Encore. From the Latin hauc horam, till this hour, still, again.
Encyclopædia. A book containing general or all-round instruction or information, from the Greek enkylios, circular or general, and paideia, instruction. An epitome of the whole circle of learning.
Endell Street. After the name of the builder. This is one of the few streets in London that has preserved its old characteristics, steadfastly refusing to march with the times.
England. In the time of Alfred the Great our country was styled Engaland, or the land of the Engles or Angles, who came over from Jutland.
Englishman’s House is his Castle. By the law of the land a bailiff must effect a peaceable entrance in order to 90distrain upon a debtor’s goods; therefore the latter is, as it were, sufficiently secure in his own fortress if he declines to give the enemy admittance.
Ennis. Expresses in Ireland, like Innis, the Celtic for an island. Both these words enter largely into Irish place-names.
Enniskillen. The kirk town on an island, the Celtic kil, originally implying a hermit’s cell, and later a chapel.
Ennismore Place. After Viscount Ennismore, Earl of Listowel, the ground landlord.
Enough is as good as a Feast. Because at no time can a person eat more than enough.
Enrol. See “Roll Call.”
Entente Cordiale. Expresses the French for cordial good will.
Entire. A word still to be met with on old tavern signs. It meant different qualities of ale or beer drawn from one cask.
Entrées. French for entries or commencements. Those made dishes are served after the soups, as an introduction to the more substantial portions of the repast, the joints.
Epicure. After Epicurus, a Greek philosopher, who taught that pleasure and good living constituted the happiness of mankind. His followers were styled Epicureans.
Epiphany. From the Greek Epiphaneia, an appearance, a showing; relative to the adoration of the Magi, who came from the East twelve days after the birth of the Saviour.
Epsom Salts. From the mineral springs at Epsom.
Equality State. Wyoming, where, first among the communities of the world, women were accorded the right to vote.
Erie. Indian for “Wild Cat,” the fierce tribe exterminated by the Iroquois.
91Escurial. Properly Escorial, Spanish for “among the rocks.” King Philip II. built this superb convent and palace after the battle of St Quentin, in the course of which he had been obliged to bombard a monastery of the Order of St Jerome. He dedicated it to St Lawrence. He caused the structure to be in the form of a gridiron, the symbol of the Saint’s martyrdom.
Esk. A river name derived from the Celtic uisg, water.
Esquimaux. An Alonquin Indian term signifying “eaters of raw flesh.”
Essex. The kingdom of the East Saxons under the Heptarchy.
Essex Street. From the mansion of Robert Devereaux, Earl of Essex, the Parliamentary General in Cromwell’s time.
Ethelred the Unready. From his incapacity and unwillingness to accept rede, or counsel.
Ethiopia. From the Greek aithein, to burn, and ops, the face. Hence “the country of the blacks.”
Etiquette. A French word for “label.” Formerly a ticket or card of instructions was handed to visitors on ceremonial occasions. Nowadays such rules as pertain to deportment or decorum are supposed to enter into the education of all well-bred persons.
Etna. From the Phœnician attuna, a furnace.
Eton. The Anglo-Saxon Eyton, “island town.”
Ettrick Shepherd. The literary sobriquet of James Hogg, the poet, of Ettrick, Selkirkshire.
Europe. From the Greek euros, broad, and ops, the face; literally “the broad face of the earth.”
Euston Road. From the seat of the Earl of Euston at Thetford, Norfolk, the ground landlord.
Evacuation Day. November 25th, observed in the United States as commemorating the evacuation of New York city by the British after the War of Independence, 1783.
92Evangelist. From the Greek euanggelion, “good news.” One of the four writers of the Gospels of the New Testament.
Evelyn Street. From the residence of John Evelyn, the diarist. One of his descendants, the Rev. W. J. Evelyn, of Wolton, built the church of St Luke, Deptford, in 1872.
Everglade State. Florida, from its tracts of land, covered with water and grass, called Everglades.
Ex. Another form of the Celtic uisg, water.
Exchequer. The table of this Court was formerly covered with checkered cloth, so called from the Old French eschequier, chess board.
Executive City. Washington, which contains the White House, the official residence of the President of the Republic, the House of Representatives, and the Senate Chamber.
Exellers. The 40th Foot, from the Roman numerals XL.
Exeter. Called by the Saxons Exancester, or the Roman camp town on the Exe.
Exeter College. Founded at Oxford by Walter Stapleton, Bishop of Exeter and Lord Treasurer of England, in 1316.
Exeter Street. From the mansion and grounds of the Earl of Exeter, the eldest son of the great Lord Burleigh.
Exhibition Road. This wide thoroughfare formed the eastern boundary of the plot of ground purchased by the Commissioners for the Great Exhibition of 1862.
Exodus. The Scriptural narrative of the departure of the Israelites from the Land of Bondage.
Eye. Expresses the Anglo-Saxon for island. The river Waveney surrounds the town.
Eye-opener. An American drink of mixed spirits as a remedy for drowsiness.
93
F
Face the Music. To bear the jeers and taunts of those who laugh at us.
Factory King. Richard Oastler of Bradford, the promoter of the “Ten Hours’ Bill.”
Fag. Slang for a cigarette, derived from the fag end–i.e. fatigued or spent end–of a cigar. Also a small boy who acts as a drudge in the service of another at a public school, so called from the Anglo-Saxon fæge, weak, timid.
Fair Cop. Thieves’ slang for a smart capture by the police. Whereas another would say “The game’s up!” a thief admits that he has been fairly caught by the expression “It’s a fair cop.” See “Cop.”
Fair Maid of Kent. Joan, the beautiful and only daughter of the Earl of Kent, who became the wife of Edward the Black Prince.
Fair Street. A name left us as a reminder of a once celebrated fair on the Southwark bank of the Thames.
Faith Healers. A sect which upholds the doctrine of healing the sick by prayer and anointing with oil in the name of the Lord, as set forth in James v. 13-15.
Faix. An Irishman’s exclamation for “Faith” or “In Faith.”
Fake. To make-believe or cheat. An actor is said to “fake up” an article of costume out of very sorry materials, which at a distance looks like the real thing. A photographer can “fake” a spirit photo by means of two distinct plates. Food also is largely “faked.” The word is derived from “Fakir.”
