Виктор Евгеньевич Никитин
Исторический английский фразеологический словарь
Fakir. From the Arabic fakhar, poor.
Falcon Square. From an ancient hostelry, “The Castle and Falcon,” hard by in Aldersgate Street.
Falernian. A celebrated wine, extolled by Horace, Virgil, 94and other Latin authors, prepared from grapes grown in the district of Falernicum.
Fall. An Americanism for autumn, in allusion to the fall of the leaves.
Fallopian Tubes. Said to have been discovered by Gabriel Fallopius, the eminent Italian anatomist of the sixteenth century. They were, however, known to the ancients.
Falls City. Louisville, in the state of Kentucky, because it overlooks the falls of the Ohio River.
Falmouth. A seaport at the mouth of the Fale.
Family Circle. This expression had a literal meaning in the time of the Normans, when the fire occupied the centre of the floor, and the smoke found its vent through a hole in the roof. In Germany and Russia the domestic apartments are economically warmed by an enclosed stove in the centre. Amongst ourselves the phrase “sit round the fire” only conveys a half-truth.
Fancy Drink. An Americanism for a concoction of various spirits, as distinguished from a Straight Drink of one kind.
Fandago. Spanish for a “lively dance.”
Farmer George. George III., on account of his dress, manners, and bucolic sporting inclinations.
Farm Street. From an old farm, on the land of Lord Berkeley of Stratton in the time of Charles I.
Faro. So called from a representation of Pharaoh on one of the cards originally.
Farringdon Road. After William Farringdon, citizen and goldsmith, who, for the sum of twenty marks, in 1279 purchased the Aldermanry of the ward named after him.
Farthing. From the Anglo-Saxon feorthling, a little fourth. In olden times penny pieces were nicked across like a 95Good Friday bun; so they could be broken into halves and fourths as occasion required.
Farthingale. A corruption of Verdingale, from the French vertugarde, a guard for modesty. Queen Elizabeth is said to have introduced this hooped petticoat in order to disguise her figure.
Farthing Poet. The sobriquet of Richard Horne, who published his chief poem, “Orion,” at one farthing, so that it should not want for buyers.
Fastern’s E’en. The Scottish description of Shrove Tuesday, being the eve of the Lenten Fast.
Father of Believers. Mohammed, because he established and promulgated the faith of the Moslem, or “true believers.”
Father of the Music Halls. The late William Morton, manager of the Palace Theatre of Varieties, and founder of the earliest London Music Hall, “The Canterbury,” in the Westminster Bridge Road, which dates from the year 1848.
Fathers of the Church. The great doctors or theological writers of the period from the first to the seventh centuries of Christianity. See “Apostolic Fathers.”
Faugh-a-Ballagh Boys. The 87th Foot, from their battle cry.
Feast of Lanterns. A Chinese festival which occurs on the fifteenth day of the first moon of the year. Walking by the side of a beautiful lake one night the daughter of a mandarin fell in, and was drowned. When her father heard of the accident he, attended by all his household, carrying lanterns, rushed to the spot. On the anniversary he caused fires to be lighted beside the lake, and invited all the people of the country round about to offer up prayers for the safety of her soul. In course of time the solemn character of the gathering was forgotten, and the day has ever since been observed as a national holiday.
Feast of Tabernacles. Commemorative of the forty years’ 96wandering of the Israelites in search of the Promised Land, during which long period they dwelt in temporary huts or tabernacles, formed of tree branches covered with leaves. Even at the present day the Jews at least take their meals in temporary structures covered with leaves throughout the nine days of the festival.
Feather in my Cap. An expression derived from a custom of the North American Indians, who stuck a fresh feather in their head-dress for every one of their enemies slain in battle.
Feathers. An inn sign originally, when the painted device appeared in place of the mere name, signifying the “Plume of Feathers,” or “Prince of Wales’s Feathers,” the crest of Edward the Black Prince.
February. From the Latin februare, to purify, this being the month appointed by the Romans for the festival of the Februalia of purification and expiation.
Federal States. During the American Civil War the Treaty States of the North, which resisted the Separatist or Confederate States in the South.
Feel Peckish. See “Keep your Pecker up.”
Fellah. Arabic for agriculturist or peasant. In the plural, “El Fellahin,” the term is specifically applied to the labouring population of Egypt.
Fenchurch Street. From an ancient church in the fens or marshy ground through which ran the Lang Bourne from Beach Lane to the Wall brook behind the Stocks Market, where the Mansion House now stands.
Fenians. Said to express the Gaelic for “hunters,” but the greater likelihood is that this secret society took the name of the Finna Eirinii, ancient organisation of Irish militia, so called after Fion MacCumhal, the hero of legendary history.
Fetter Lane. A corruption of “Fewters Lane,” from the Norman-French faitour, an evil-doer, on account of the idle vagabonds who infested it in days when this lane led to some pleasure gardens.
97Feuilleton. Expresses the French for a small leaf. Like the serial stories nowadays in many English newspapers, articles of a non-political character were introduced in the French Journal des Debatés as long ago as the commencement of the nineteenth century, these being separated from the news by a line towards the bottom of each page.
Fez. From Fez in Morocco, whence this red cap of the Turks was introduced into the Ottoman Empire.
F. F. V. Initials well understood in America, implying the “First Families of Virginia.”
Fiddler’s Money. A threepenny piece. Originally it was a small coin paid by each of the dancers to the fiddler at a merry-making.
Fifth Monarchy Men. Religious fanatics of the time of Charles I. who proclaimed the second coming of Christ to establish the fifth monarchy, or millennium. The four previous great monarchies of the world were the Assyrian, Persian, Macedonian, and Roman.
Fifty Club. A social club founded in 1899 by G. C. Paterson, incidentally for the entertainment of its members on the attainment of their fiftieth birthday.
Fighting Fifth. The 5th Foot, on account of their prowess during the Peninsular War.
Fighting Fitzgerald. George Robert Fitzgerald, a noted gamester and duellist of the eighteenth century, with whom no one ever picked a quarrel without falling by his hand. A sure shot and an expert swordsman, he was a man to be feared by all.
Fight Shy. Originally a prize-fighting expression, when one of the combatants betrayed a lack of courage.
Filberts. After St Philibert, on whose feast day, 22nd August, the nutting season commenced.
Filibuster. A Spanish and French corruption of the German freibeter, derived from the Dutch vlie-boot, or fly-boat, a small clipper vessel. This was introduced 98into England during the wars with the Low Countries. The word Freebooter claims the same origin.
Finality John. The sobriquet of John Russell, afterwards Earl Russell, from his conviction that the passing of the Reform Bill of 1832 would be a finality to the universal Suffrage Question.
Finch Lane. Properly Finke Lane, after Sir Richard Finke, who resided in it, and rebuilt the church of St Bennet on the site of the present Royal Exchange. A tradesman in Cheapside rejoices in the possession of the full name of this vanished church, St Bennet-Finke.
Fingal’s Cave. That of Fion MacCumhal, abbreviated into Fingal, a celebrated legendary hero.
Finland. Properly Fenland, the land of lakes and marshes. The native name of the country is Suomesimaa, the watered land of the Suomes.
Finsbury. From the Anglo-Saxon Fensbury, the town among the fens or marshes.
Finsbury Pavement. The first London thoroughfare where the paving of the side walk with flagstones was introduced.
Fire dogs. These adjuncts to an old-fashioned fireplace received their name from the small dog that was anciently imprisoned in a wheel at one end of the spit. Three hours of this canine exercise were required to prepare the roast beef of Old England for the table. If the dog refused to exert himself a live coal was put inside the wheel to accelerate his movements.
Fire Water. The North American Indian designation of rum, and ardent spirits generally.
Fire Worshippers. The Parsees, who worship the sun as the symbol of the Deity.
First Gentleman of Europe. The complimentary sobriquet of George IV., owing to his rank, personal attractions, and the ability, as became a gentleman of the period, of telling good stories well.
99Firth of Forth. Firth expresses the Gaelic for an estuary or arm of the sea. Forth is the name of the river.
Fish Street Hill. From the fishmongers who first congregated here in the reign of Edward I. The Hall of the Fishmongers’ Company stands at the foot of London Bridge.
Fit-up. In theatrical parlance the entire appurtenances of a stage, excepting the floor only, carried from town to town, and fitted up in Town Halls, Assembly-rooms, and Corn Exchanges.
Fitzroy Square. From one of the family names of the ground landlord.
Fives. An old game at ball, usually played by five on each side. The “court” consists of a roomy space with a high wall at one end.
Fixings. An Americanism for dress ornaments or accessories; house, hotel, or theatre embellishments and decorations generally.
Flamingo. From the bright red colour of this tropical bird.
Flanders. From the native name Vländergau, the country of the Vländer, who from the earliest period of their history were ruled by counts.
Flannelled Fools. An opprobrious epithet bestowed upon the English people on account of their all-pervading sport of cricket by Rudyard Kipling. It gave rise to much acrimony at the time, and tended to lessen his popularity as a writer.
Flash Jewellery. Spurious, not what it pretends to be. Like a flash of fire, its brilliance is only fleeting.
Flask Walk. In this pleasant lane stands the old hostelry “The Flash.”
Fleet Road. All that is left us to remind one of the clear stream which coursed through the meadows down to Holborn (the Old Bourne) and Clerkenwell, emptying itself into the Thames in what is now Bridge Street, Blackfriars.
100Fleet Street. The River Fleet, which in old days was navigable from the Thames as far as what is now Ludgate Circus. The old English word Fleot expressed a tidal stream deep enough for vessels to float in.
Fleetwood Road. Here stood Fleetwood House, the residence of Charles Fleetwood, the Parliamentary General.
Fleshly School of Poetry. That of the sensuous order, popularised by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Swinburne, and Morris.
Flint. From the flint or quartz which abounds in this country.
Floralia. A Roman festival in honour of Flora, commencing 28th April and terminating 2nd May. It was said to have been instituted at the command of an oracle with a view of obtaining from the goddess the protection of blossoms.
Florence. Expresses “The City of Flowers.”
Florida. Named by Ponce de Leon from the twofold circumstance of his landing upon it on Pascua Florida, or Easter Sunday, and the luxuriance of its vegetation.
Florin. A silver coin of the value of two shillings, originally struck at Florence. It still bears on its reverse side a representation of a lily, symbolical of “The City of Flowers.”
Flower Sermon. An annual observance at the Church of St Katherine Cree, Leadenhall Street, inaugurated by the rector, the Rev. Dr Whittemore, in 1853. The flowers of the earth form the text; the pulpit is richly adorned with flowers; and every member of the congregation brings a bouquet. The idea of the flower service, if not the sermon, has been largely copied in various parts of the country.
Flunkey. From the French flanquer, the henchman or groom who ran at the flank or side of his mounted master.
101Fly. Provincial for a hansom cab. When one looks at such a hackney carriage it suggests a sedan-chair on wheels. Such a vehicle, introduced at Brighton for invalids, was a great favourite with George IV. then Prince of Wales, who often requisitioned it for a night frolic. Called by him on account of its lightness a “fly-by-night,” its name became abbreviated into a “fly.”
Fly Posting. A showman’s phrase for small bills posted hurriedly in all possible conspicuous places under cover of night.
Fly-up-the-Creeks. The people of Florida, who were wont to disappear on the approach of strangers.
F. M. Allen. The pseudonym of Mr Edward Downey at the time when he was also a publisher. F. M. Allen was his wife’s maiden name.
Foley Street. After the town house of Lord Foley.
Fontagne. A wire structure for raising the hair of ladies, introduced by the Duchesse de Fontagne, one of the mistresses of Louis XIV. of France.
Fontinalia. Roman festivals in honour of the nymphs of wells and fountains. It was from these that the English and French custom of “Well Dressing” in the month of May found its origin.
Foolscap. A size of paper which from time immemorial has had for its watermark a fool’s cap and bells.
Footpad. Originally a thief or highway robber who wore padded shoes.
Fop. From the German and Dutch foppen, to jeer at, make a fool of. This word must be very old, since Vanbrugh gave the name of Lord Foppington to a conceited coxcomb in this comedy “The Relapse,” 1697.
Forecastle. The quarters apportioned to the seamen in the fore end of a vessel. Anciently the whole forward portion bore the name of Aforecastle on account of “The Castle” or State Cabin erected in a castle-like form in the centre.
102Forefathers’ Day. December 21st, commemorated in the New England States on account of the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers in 1620.
Forest City. Cleveland (Ohio) and Portland (Maine), on account of the trees which characterise their beautiful avenues.
Forest Gate. The district which in modern times has sprung up south of the old gate leading into Epping Forest. A representation of the gate appears on the curtain of the local public hall, or, as it is now styled, “The Grand Theatre.”
Forest Hill. A name reminiscent of days when this portion of South London as far as Croydon was forest land.
Fore Street. The street in front of the London Wall, the Barbican or watch-tower, and Cripple Gate.
Forget-me-not. A flower emblematical of friendship or a keepsake. The story goes that a German knight, walking on the banks of the Danube with his lady, undertook, at her request, to gather a tuft of Mysotis palustris, growing in the water. Encumbered by his armour, he was carried away by the stream, and sank, after having thrown the flowers to his mistress, exclaiming: “Vergess mein nicht!”
Forlorn Hope. From the German verloren, lost. A company of soldiers ordered upon such a perilous enterprise, that there is small hope of their return.
Formosa. A Portuguese word signifying “beautiful.”
Fortino. A clipped phrase in several of the states of North America, from “For aught I know.”
Foster Lane. From the Church of St Vedast, the name of a Bishop of Arras. How Vedast came to be Anglicised into Foster is not explained.
Foul-weather Jack. Commodore John Byron, the circumnavigator of the eighteenth century. Whenever he put out to sea he was sure to experience foul weather.
Four Hundred. The Select or “Smart” Society of New York city.
103Fourteen Hundred. The cry raised when a stranger is discovered in the Stock Exchange, whereupon he is immediately hustled out. This had its origin in the circumstance that for a great many years the recognised full membership on ’Change was 1399.
Fourth Estate. The Press. Edward Burke referred to the Reporters’ Gallery as more powerful than the three great estates of the realm–viz. the Lords Spiritual, the Lords Temporal, and the Commons.
Fox in the Hole. An inn or tavern sign contiguous to the hunting field.
Frame House. The American term for a house built of timber. Chinatown, or the Chinese quarter of the city of San Francisco, was entirely constructed of “frame houses.”
Franc. A silver coin of Franconia or France.
France. Anciently Franconia, the country of the Franks, so called from the franca, a kind of javelin with which they armed themselves when this people effected the conquest of Gaul.
Franciscans. Friars of the Order of St Francis of Assisi. Originally the Grey Friars, their habits are now brown. One of the rules laid down by their pious founder was that the brethren should always be clad like the poorest of the poor. He selected the loose sack of grey, undyed wool, bound round the waist by a cord of the Umbrian Shepherds. Towards the close of the fifteenth century the better classes affected gaudy colours, and the poorer orders, imitating them so far as the use of dyed materials was concerned, took to wearing garments of sober brown. Hence the change in the colour of the Franciscan habit.
Frankincense. Incense brought to the East from “Franconia.”
Freak Dinner. A latter-day term, arising out of the examples set by American millionaires to outdo all previous attempts in the way of sumptuous banquets. 104There have been dinners costing £100 per head. To please the eye, champagne has been made to flow wastefully from a fountain. The name is, however, more correctly applied to the scenic embellishments, as when the banqueting-chamber of the Gaiety Restaurant was converted into a South African mining tent, and real Kaffirs were the waiters, to remind the diners of the mode by which they had acquired their wealth.
Freebooter. See “Filibuster.”
Free Church of Scotland. The adherents of Dr Chalmers, who separated from the Scottish Presbyterian Church to establish an independent community, 18th May 1843.
Free House. A public-house, of which the landlord, being his own master, is at full liberty to change his brewer if the quality of the liquor supplied to him does not give complete satisfaction. See “Tied House.”
Free-lance. An unattached journalist who sends out his literary wares on approval. The term has been derived from those roving companies of knights who, at the close of the Wars of the Crusades, were ready to enlist under any banner for a monetary consideration. Like the mercenaries of the Carthaginians and Romans, these were the first paid soldiers.
Free List. A list kept by theatrical managers of Men about Town, barristers, medical men, and others, who can be relied upon to “dress the house” at short notice when business is bad, and so give it an air of prosperity. These are not “Deadheads” in the ordinary sense, because they render the management a service; but being well able to pay for seats at all times they are apt to be obnoxious in their demands when the entertainment really draws good houses. Hence the notice “Free list entirely suspended” at such times.
Freemasons. A brotherhood of masons who in the Mediæval Ages built the cathedrals which are even 105now lasting mementoes of their skill. They travelled from one city to another, always employed in the same devoted work, and, to prove that they were master craftsmen, invented various symbols, by which they could be recognised. Everywhere these masons enjoyed immunity from taxation and military service. Hence they received the name of “free-masons.”
Freeze on to him. To cling to a man as hoarfrost clings to wood in winter.
Freight Train. An Americanism for goods train.
Freshman. An undergraduate in his first year at a university.
Friar. Agreeably to the Latin fratre, brother. This term signifies a member of a religious community as distinguished from a monk (Greek, monas, alone), who was originally a hermit, and, except when at meals or at prayers in the monastery, spends his time in a cell.
Friar Street. Marks the eastern boundary of the monastery of the Dominicans or Black Friars anciently located south of Ludgate Hill.
Friar Tuck. So called because, like that of all friars, his habit was tucked or drawn up round the cord that encircled his waist.
Friday. In the Scandinavian mythology this day of the week was set apart for the worship of Frigga, the wife of Odin.
Friday Street. The fish market of Old London, so called from the weekly fast day, when it must have been particularly thronged.
Friendly Islands. So called by Captain Cook on account of the peaceable disposition of the natives.
Friesland. Anciently Friesia, the country of the Frisii.
Frisco. An American abbreviation of San Francisco.
Frith Street. Originally Fryth Street, after the name of the builder upon the land in 1680.
Frobisher Strait. Discovered by Sir Martin Frobisher, 1576.
106Frognal. That portion of Hampstead once graced by Frognal Priory, built by “Memory-Corner Thompson.”
From Pillar to Post. This had reference in olden times to the hooting crowds who followed a public offender from the pillory to the whipping-post. The “post,” however, was more usually a “cart’s tail.”
Fuchsia. After Leonard Fuchs, the distinguished German botanist.
Fudge. A word derived from the sound produced by the nasal expression of contempt, futsch! among the Germans and Dutch.
Fulham. The Fullenhame of Anglo-Saxon days, expressing the home or habitation of water-fowl.
Funeral. Specifically a torchlight procession, from the Latin funis, a torch. In ancient times burials always took place by night.
Furnival Street. A name left to remind us of Furnival’s Inn, on the opposite side of Holborn, and where Charles Dickens wrote his “Pickwick Papers.” Anciently this was the “Inn” or town mansion of the Lords Furnival, a title which became extinct in the reign of Richard II.
Fusiliers. Because originally armed with a light musket styled a fusil.
Fye Foot Lane. A corruption of Five Foot Lane, the width of this narrow thoroughfare when it led down to the Thames side.
G
Gad-about. The word “Gad” is Gaelic, signifying “to rove.”
Gaelic. See “Caledonia.”
Gaff. See “Penny Gaff.”
Gaffer. Provincial for an old man; a corruption of “grandfather.”
107Gag. An actor’s interpolation of catch phrases at his own sweet will. Originally, however, gagging was a device to disconcert or stop the mouth of another actor by the unexpected employment of words not in the text of the play.
Gallivanting. An old English word for “doing the agreeable.” Its derivation is clearly traceable to “gallant” and “gallantry.”
Galoshes. From the Spanish galocha, a patten or wooden shoe.
Galvanism. After Luigi Galvani, the eminent physician of Bologna in the eighteenth century, the discoverer of electrical currents produced by chemical agency.
Gamboge. Brought from Cambogia in Siam.
Gamp. After Mrs Gamp in “Martin Chuzzlewit,” who never went abroad without her fat, pawky umbrella, and when at home gave it an honoured position by the side of the fireplace. Charles Dickens must have had the town of Guingamp in his mind when he invented Mrs Gamp. See “Gingham.”
Gander Party. An Americanism for a social party composed of men only.
Ganges. The sacred river of the Hindoos, thought by them to flow through Gang, the earth, to heaven. The name they gave to it, therefore, was Ganga.
Garden of England. The Isle of Wight. The mildness of the climate and the luxuriance of the vegetation bespeak a perpetual summer.
Garden Spot. The fertile centre of Kentucky, whence the Indians, after many a sanguinary encounter, were banished by the white settlers.
Garden State. New Jersey, from the fertility of its soil.
Garden Town. The name bestowed upon both Cheltenham and Leamington in virtue of their spas, public gardens, and promenades tastefully laid out.
108Gargantuan. Anything out of all reasonable limits. We speak of a “Gargantuan Feast,” a “Gargantuan Thirst,” to express a capacity for enormous consumption. The word is derived from Gargantua, the hero of Rabelais’s famous satire of this title.
Garlick Hill. Where garlic was anciently brought to land at Queenhithe.
Garrick Street. From the Garrick Club, the premier rendezvous of the leading members of the dramatic profession.
Garrotters. Street marauders of the latter part of the last century who gripped their victim tightly round the neck while accomplices rifled his pockets. Their designation was derived from the Garrotte, with which malefactors are strangled in Spain.
Gas Bag. An Americanism for one who is always boasting of his own importance.
Gasconade. To boast. The people of Gascony had an unenviable reputation for boasting.
Gate. This old English word does not in all cases express a city gate, as in London, but a road, street, or passage–e.g. Canongate, the way past the House of the Canons of Holyrood Abbey at Edinburgh; Lowgate, Whitefriargate, etc., at Hull; Harrowgate, the passage through the hills; and Boulogne Gate, or entrance to Boulogne Harbour.
Gatling Gun. Named after R. J. Gatling, its inventor.
Gaul. The Gallia of the Romans, from the Celtic name of the country, Gal, “western.”
Gave him a Baker’s Dozen. As much as he merited, and one blow over as a finishing stroke. A drubbing that he little expected.
Gave him a Roland for an Oliver. Exactly what he gave me himself; a tit for tat. Roland and Oliver were two knights in the train of Charlemagne. Both were equally accomplished; what the one did the other essayed also with success. In the matter of fighting 109too they were exactly on a par, since, after having been put to the test in single combat, for a long time neither of them gained the least advantage.
Gave him the Cold Shoulder. Received him with scant ceremony. The allusion is to the fare generally set before an unexpected visitor who has not dined.
Gave him the Grand Shake. An Americanism for finally breaking off an acquaintance.
Gavelkind. A custom among the Anglo-Saxons whereby all the sons of a family inherited alike. Lord Coke traces it from the Teutonic gif eal cyn, and translates it literally “give all kinde.” Inheritance by Gavelkind obtained in Kent long after the Norman Conquest; indeed, it is said that some Kentish lands are still held by this ancient tenure.
Gavotte. A dance familiar to the Gavots in the French province of Dauphiny.
Gay Lothario. A seducer. From the leading character in Nicholas Rowe’s “The Fair Penitent,” produced in 1703.
Gazette. From the Italian Gazzetta, the name of a Venetian coin valued at about ¾d. of English money, which was charged for the individual reading, from hand-to-hand, of a written sheet at Venice containing news of the war with Soliman II., temp. sixteenth century.
Geneva Gown. The habit of Low Churchmen, so called from its resemblance to the gown worn by the Calvinists of Geneva.
Genre Painting. One on a pastoral subject, with figures, that does not properly come under the definition of a landscape. The word is French for a kind, a sort.
Gentleman in Black. A chimney-sweep, who, like a clergyman, was formerly saluted out of respect for “the cloth.”
Gentleman Jack. John Bannister, a favourite actor of 110Drury Lane Theatre, respected by all for his integrity even more than for his histrionic accomplishments.
Gentleman Smith. William Smith of Drury Lane, the beau ideal of a gentleman on the stage.
Gentleman Turkey. The Far Western description of a turkey cock.
George. An inn sign in honour of the patron saint of England. After the Hanoverian Succession, by which time pictorial signs had for the most part disappeared, and the name alone stood for a sign, the omission of the “St” made the sign complimentary to the reigning monarch. Reading of the execution of Charles I., we are told that the ill-fated King handed his “George” to Juxon, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who attended him on the scaffold. This was the badge of the Order of the Garter, representing St George on horseback piercing the fallen dragon with his lance.
George and Dragon. See “George.”
George Ranger. H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge, who was appointed Ranger of the Royal Parks.
Georges Sand. This literary pseudonym of Mademoiselle Dupin, afterwards Madame Dudevant, arose out of her attachment to a young student named Jules Sandeau, with whom she collaborated in the production of her first novel, “Rose et Blanche.”
Georgia. In compliment to George II., the reigning monarch when this state was colonised.
German Silver. See “Sterling Silver.”
Germany. Called by the Romans Germania, from a Gaulish or Celtic word meaning “neighbours.”
Gerrard Street. After the family name of the Earl of Macclesfield, the ground landlord, when it was first built upon at the close of the seventeenth century.
Gerrymandering. An American political term for subdividing a constituency in such a way as to give one party an unfair advantage over all others. Its adoption 111was due to Elbridge Gerry, Governor of Massachusetts. When a map of this new electoral distribution was shown to an artist he remarked that it looked very much like a salamander. “A salamander, you say? Why not a Gerrymander!” was the reply. And a Gerrymander the name of the scheme remained.
Get there all the same. An Americanism meaning to succeed in any enterprise, despite all obstacles or opposition.
Ghost. One employed by an author or an artist to do his work for him, so called because, his name and personality being withheld from the public, he is kept in the shade. In other words, he is a mere shadow of his master. Originally, however, the term had reference to the friend who had inspired or suggested the work.
Ghost walking. A theatrical phrase. Actors assembling at the theatre for their weekly salaries generally put the question among themselves: “Is the ghost walking?” While those about to accept an engagement with a manager of whom they know nothing ask: “Does the ghost walk?” Its origin is as follows:–Many years ago a manager of the Bogus type had in his company a self-willed actor whose strong part was the Ghost in “Hamlet.” If his salary was not forthcoming on a Saturday morning he exclaimed: “Then the ghost won’t walk to-night.” Indispensable actor as he was, the manager invariably acceded to his demands. Sometimes it happened that he received only a portion of his salary, with a promise of the remainder in the course of the performance, in which case he refused to go on until the money was actually paid. It is said that the other members of the company would wait on a Saturday morning about the time for “Treasury” until they received word by a messenger that the ghost would walk.
