Виктор Евгеньевич Никитин
Исторический английский фразеологический словарь
Hamilton Place. After Colonel James Hamilton, Ranger of Hyde Park, temp. Charles II.
Hammer and Scourge of England. The sobriquet of Sir William Wallace, the Scottish warrior patriot.
Hammer and Tongs. A corruption of “Hammer and Tongues.” A wordy warfare is well described as a hammering of tongues; hence the saying: “They went at it hammer and tongs” (tongues).
Hammer-cloth. It has been suggested that this is the covering for the box-seat of a coach that contained the hammer, bolts, nails, etc., useful to remedy a breakdown on a journey. The true meaning of the term is, however, that it is properly “Hammock-cloth,” the driver’s seat being formed of stout straps or webbing stretched upon crutches, after the fashion of a sailor’s hammock.
Hammered. A stockbroker is said to be “hammered” when he is driven out of the Stock Exchange on account of his failure to meet his liabilities.
Hammersmith. Originally Hammerschmiede, literally Saxon for blacksmith’s shop. In the early periods of its history this village had a great number of smithies.
Hampshire (or Hants). The shire of the Hamptune, Hantone, or Anton, which river gives its name to the county town and “Southampton Water.”
Hampstead. From “Homestead,” signifying the enclosed property–i.e. farm buildings–of a rural mansion.
131Hampton. From the Saxon heim, home, to which ton or town was added. “Hampton Wick” expresses the village home on a creek.
Hampton Court. In the thirteenth century the manor of Hampton belonged to the Knights of St John of Jerusalem. Cardinal Wolsey built himself a sumptuous palace here, and lived in luxurious style. Eventually he presented it to Henry VIII., since whose time Hampton Court has remained Crown property. The last monarch who resided here was George II.
Hand in your Checks. An Americanism for dying, giving up the ghost; meaning properly to make your will and settle your earthly affairs. All over the United States it is the custom at German restaurants to give a certain amount of credit to known regular patrons, who now and again are asked to hand in their checks or vouchers for settlement.
Handkerchief. Anciently a kerchief, which term was a corruption of “Coverchef,” from the French couvrir, to cover, and chef, the head, reserved for hand use in wiping the face, and carried in the left sleeve of the garment. At a later period, until the reign of Elizabeth, when pockets came into vogue, the handkerchief found a place in the pouch worn on the left side of the girdle.
Handsel Monday. The first Monday in the New Year, when handsels or gifts were bestowed upon servants. The word “Handsel” is Anglo-Saxon, meaning the delivery of something into another’s hands; also the first instalment of a series of payments as an earnest of good faith.
Handyman. The modern designation of a bluejacket or man-of-war’s-man. Since 1882, when, after the bombardment of Alexandria, he was sent ashore to cooperate with our troops in Egypt, he has proved himself not only an expert fighting man with the cutlass and musket, but an agile auxiliary to the artillery–in short, a handy man in all respects.
132Hangbird. The Baltimore oriole, which suspends its nest from a tree branch.
Hanged, Drawn, and Quartered. The former capital sentence for treason. The criminal was drawn to the place of execution upon a hurdle, hanged, and his body was hewn into four quarters, each being spiked in a public place as an example to the multitude. This quartering was substituted, in the fifty-fourth year of the reign of George III., for the disembowelling of the hanged criminal while he was yet alive.
Hang of the Thing. An Americanism for the mechanism or the understanding of a thing–e.g. “I can’t get the hang of the thing nohow.”
Hanover Square. In honour of the Hanoverian Succession, because laid out and built upon in the reign of George I.
Hansards. Parliamentary debates and papers, so called because they were printed by Luke Hansard and his successors from the year 1752 until comparatively recent days.
Hanse Towns. Those towns of Northern Germany embraced by the Hansa or Hanseatic League, as long ago as the thirteenth century, for the protection of commerce against pirates at sea and marauders on land. The word Hansa is Gothic for a league, society, federation.
Hans Place. After Sir Hans Sloane, the original ground landlord. See “Sloane Square.”
Hansom Cab. The “Safety Cab” patented in 1883 by Joseph Aloysius Hansom. This was not so much an improvement upon the Four-Wheeler as a horse-drawn adaptation of the invalids’ chair introduced at Brighton at the commencement of the century. See “Fly.”
Hants. See “Hampshire.”
Hanway Street. Here resided Jonas Hanway, the founder of Magdalen Hospital, who, newly arrived in England from Persia, and in delicate health, excited much 133ridicule because he was the first male pedestrian to carry an umbrella through the London streets as a protection against the rain. Hackney coachmen were especially wrath at this innovation, foreseeing that their business would be ruined if it caught on with the public.
Happify. An Americanism for to make happy–e.g. “One ought to try to happify mankind.”
Hapsburg. The name of the Imperial family of Austria, derived from Habichtsburg, or “Hawk’s Castle,” built by Werner, Bishop of Strasburg, on the right bank of the Aar, in the Swiss canton of the Aargau–i.e. country of the Aar River.
Hard pushed. See “Hard up.”
Hard-shell Baptists. The American term for the hard and strait-laced sect of Baptists; corresponding to that which in England is designated the “Particular Baptists.”
Hard up. The allusion is to being pushed hard by circumstances into a tight corner.
Harem. Expresses the Arabic for “Sacred Spot.”
Harewood Square. From the town house of the Earls of Harewood.
Harlequin. From the Italian arlechino, a satirist, a jester.
Harlequinade. The comic scenes of a pantomime. In the original form of this entertainment the Harlequinade was by far the longer portion, and the principal character was Harlequin, the lover of Columbine. To his ingenuity in evading the clown and pantaloon, and confusing them by wondrous changeful tricks brought about by his magic wand, the success of the good old English pantomime was due. Speaking clowns did not come into existence before the days of Grimaldi.
Harley Street. After Edward Harley, Earl of Oxford and Mortimer, the ground landlord.
134Harmonium. From the sustained harmonies produced on this wind instrument by means of the keys and finger-board.
Harold Harefoot. Harold I., the Saxon King of England, surnamed “Harefoot” because he was fleet of foot as a hare.
Harpsichord. An old form of pianoforte, so called because it was a harp encased longitudinally, and its chords were produced by the player on a key or finger board.
Harpur Street. After Sir William Harpur, Lord Mayor in 1562, the owner of a considerable estate in this neighbourhood.
Harrier. A dog specially suited for hunting the hare owing to his keen scent; also one who engages in a foot race according to the rule that each individual contestant makes for the goal by a different route.
Harringay. Expresses a neighbourhood or district abounding in hares.
Harrington Square. The property of one of the Earls of Harrington, whose daughter married the seventh Duke of Bedford.
Hart Street. Both these thoroughfares, in Bloomsbury and off Drury Lane, received their names from an adjacent inn sign, “The White Hart.”
Harum-scarum. One who is such a fright that he scares all beholders, causing them to fly from him with the swiftness of a hare.
Harvard University. The foundation and endowment of the Rev. John Harvard at Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1638.
Harvest Festival. This distinctly religious observance by way of thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth really originated in or grew out of the Harvest Supper which landlords were accustomed to give their tenants after the harvest had been gathered in, because what was the ancient “Lammas Day” fell into abeyance at the Reformation.
135Harz Mountains. Both these mountain ranges are for the most part forest clad. Harz is Old Saxon for wood, forest.
Hasn’t a Leg to stand on. A figurative expression applied to one whose argument has no support or firm basis.
Has the true Ring. A phrase generally applied to poetry, in allusion to the common test of genuine or debased coin by “ringing” it on a board or table.
Hatton Garden. Laid out across the extensive grounds attached to Hatton House, in which resided Sir Christopher Hatton, the Chancellor of Queen Elizabeth.
Hauled over the Coals. An expression dating back to the Ordeal by Fire, where persons accused of a crime were made to walk barefooted over red-hot iron shares or glowing embers. If they did so unharmed that was considered a proof of their innocence.
Hautboy. From the French hautbois, literally “high wood,” being a high-toned reed instrument.
Havelock. The white cloth forming part of the military cap as a protection against the scorching rays of the sun, introduced by General Havelock during the Indian Mutiny.
Haversack. Provincial English for Oatsack, derived from the German habersack. The word hafre, oats, is Scandinavian.
Haverstock Hill. From a stockaded dwelling among the oats. See “Haversack.”
Havre. Originally “Le Havre de Notre Dame de Grace,” the Harbour of Our Lady of Mercy, afterwards shortened into “Havre de Grace.”
Hawker. From the German hoken, to carry on the back. A pedlar who carried his wares in a sack over his shoulder.
Hawkeye State. Iowa, owing to the sanguinary conflicts with the savage tribe led by the chief “Hawkeye.” Its people are called “Hawkeyes.”
136Hawthorn. Expresses the Anglo-Saxon for “hedge thorn.”
Haydon Square. After the ground landlord, John Heydon, Alderman of the city of London towards the close of the sixteenth century.
Hay Hill. Marks the situation, together with Hill Street and Farm Street, of an old farm on the lands of John, Lord Berkeley of Stratton, temp. Charles I.
Haymarket. Where hay was sold in open market prior to January 1831.
Hayti. West Indian for “mountainous country.”
Hazing. An Americanism for a mad sport or frolic. Specifically it expresses the tricks played upon, and the ignominious treatment meted out to, an unpopular comrade in the army and the Military Schools; what in our own country is called “Ragging.” Like most other Americanisms, the word cannot be explained on etymological grounds.
Hear, Hear. A modern form of the ancient parliamentary exclamation “Hear him!” to enjoin silence while a Member was addressing the House.
Hearse. From the French herse and German hirsch. Both these terms expressed a harrow or triangular candlestick set at the head of a coffin at a funeral service in church. At a later period they implied a sepulchral mound temporarily distinguished by a triangular stake setting forth a number or other identification mark. The modern application of the term to a vehicle specially designed for the conveyance of a body to the grave was an easy transition.
Heart-breakers. Artificial ringlets formerly worn by ladies to enhance their beauty. It is said that the most inveterate woman-hater was not proof against the attraction of these Heart-breakers.
Heathen. Literally a dweller on a heath in the open country. The Romans applied the term to those who, having no communion with the dwellers in cities, were cut off from all knowledge of their complicated system 137of mythology. When Rome became converted to Christianity the untutored inhabitants of the country at large were the last to receive the Gospel. A heathen nation therefore, in a religious sense, is one far removed from civilisation, which offers a fruitful field for missionary work.
Heaven-sent Minister. William Pitt, first Earl of Chatham, one of the most eminent statesmen that England has ever possessed. His intense love of his own country prompted him to measures which made the success of British arms pre-eminent. Had his colleagues during the later portion of his career been actuated by the same patriotism as himself, and heeded his warnings, our American colonies might never have separated from the Mother Country.
Heavy Hill. Holborn Hill, because the hearts of those riding in the fatal cart to the place of execution at Tyburn were heavily laden.
“He” Bible. The first edition of the Authorised Version, containing a typographical error in Ruth iii. 15: “And he went into the city.” The subsequent edition, published in the same year, in which the passage was rectified, became known as “The ‘She’ Bible.”
Hebrews. Said to be descendants of Eber, the great-grandson of Shem, one of the ancestors of Abraham. The greater probability, however, is that the term has been derived from the native ebher, the region on the other side–i.e. of the Euphrates.
Hebrides. Expresses the “Western Isles” of the Norwegians.
Hector. To swagger, bully, treat with insolence, after Hector, the celebrated Trojan warrior. From the known character of this hero of antiquity it is not easy to conceive that he could ever have been a braggart. The inference is rather that this word in its accepted sense was derived from the brutal manner in which Achilles treated the body of Hector after he had slain him in single combat.
138Hedge Priest. Specifically in Ireland an itinerant cleric unattached to any mission; one admitted to Holy Orders without having studied theology.
Hedge School. An open-air school in the poor rural districts of Ireland beside a hedge.
Heel of Achilles. When Thetis, the mother of Achilles, dipped her son in the River Styx to make him invulnerable the water laved every portion of his body save that by which she held him. It was accordingly in the heel that he received his mortal wound.
Heir Apparent. The rightful heir to the crown, whose succession is beyond a doubt provided he survives the reigning monarch.
Heir-Presumptive. The presumed heir to the crown provided no child in the direct line of succession is born to supersede his claim.
Heligoland. Danish for “Holy Land,” which name was bestowed upon it after the conversion of its people by St Willibrod in the seventh century. A great many conventual establishments sprang up on the soil, but the encroachments of the sea had swept them away by the seventeenth century. Prior to their conversion the Anglii were wont to repair to this isle from the opposite mainland for the worship of the goddess Hertha, also known as Foseta, of whose temple it is said some ruins yet remain.
Heliotrope. From the Greek helios, sun, and tropos, to turn. The flowers of this plant are said always to turn towards the sun.
Hello Girls. A nickname popularly bestowed upon the telephone girls in the Post Office Department at St Martin’s-le-Grand.
Hellespont. The older name of the “Dardanelles,” where Helle in fleeing from her stepmother was drowned. This occurred at the point where Xerxes with his army had crossed the strait on a temporary bridge.
139Hell Kettles. Three very deep pits full of water at Oxenhall, Durham. The people of the neighbourhood declare them to be bottomless. They are really disused coal pits, the water in which cannot be drained off.
Helmuth the Taciturn. The sobriquet of Count Von Moltke, Field Marshal of the German Empire, on account of his habitual reserve.
Helot. The name given by the Spartans to a slave from the Greek town of Helos, whose inhabitants they reduced to slavery.
Henbane. A plant which is poisonous to poultry.
Henchman. A corruption of “Haunchman,” the groom or servant who out of doors was in constant attendance upon his master at the flank or haunches of his horse. See “Flunkey.”
Heneage Lane. After the residence of Sir Thomas Heneage, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in the sixteenth century.
Henrietta Street. In Covent Garden, after Henrietta Maria, Queen of Charles I. On the north side of Oxford Street, after Henrietta Cavendish, who, by her marriage, carried not only a goodly portion of the Cavendish estate, but also that of her father, Lord Holles, into the Harley family.
Henry Irving. See “Irving.”
Heptarchy. The Saxon division of England comprising Kent, Sussex, Wessex, Essex, East Anglia, Mercia, and Northumbria, each having originally its own ruler.
Herculaneum. The foundation of this buried city was by the Romans traditionally ascribed to Hercules.
Hereford. Expresses the Saxon for “army ford” over the River Wye. During the Heptarchy this was the military headquarters of Mercia.
Heroic Verse. That usually selected for epic poetry, since 140the exploits of Achilles at the siege of Troy were set forth by Homer in hexameters.
Hertford. Originally “Hartford,” being the ford of the River Lea crossed by harts.
He’s a Brick. This expression, if not quite as old as the hills, carries us back to the time of Plutarch, who in his “Lives” gives the following account of its origin:–“On a certain occasion, an ambassador from Epirus paid a visit to Argesilaus, King of Sparta, on a mission of diplomatic importance. By that monarch he was shown over the capital. But the ambassador failed to see any massive walls reared to defend the city, and openly expressed his astonishment to the King. ‘Sire!’ he said, ‘I have visited most of your principal towns, and find no walls reared for defence. Why is this?’ ‘Indeed, Sir Ambassador,’ Argesilaus replied, ‘thou canst not have looked carefully. Come with me to-morrow, and I will show thee the walls of Sparta.’ On the following morning the King conducted his guest out upon the plains, where his army was drawn up in full battle array, and, proudly pointing to the serried host, he exclaimed: ‘There, Sir Ambassador, thou beholdest the walls of Sparta–ten thousand men, and every man a brick!’”
He’s joined the Majority. See “Gone over to the Majority.”
Hessel Street. The recent change from Morgan Street to Hessel Street in Stepney is accounted for by the discovery that here a celebrated character, in the person of Phœbe Hessel, was born. For many years she served as a private soldier in the Fifth Regiment of Foot, and fought at the Battle of Fontenoy, in which engagement she was wounded. A long inscription on her tombstone in Brighton churchyard would have us believe that she was at the time of her death, 21st December 1821, no less than one hundred and eight years of age.
Hessian. An Americanism for a hireling, a fighter for pay, 141a mercenary politician. The Hessian soldiers have always been ready to enlist in a foreign service for pay.
Hessian Fly. An insect which has caused the utmost destruction among young wheat in North America, so called because it was said to have been introduced by the Hessian troops in their horse straw during the Revolution.
Hetman. The Russian title of the general or headman of the Cossacks, derived from the Tartar Ataman. This too supplies the origin of the German Hauptmann, captain, chief, or headman of a village.
Hibernia. See “Ireland.”
Hickory. See “Old Hickory.”
Hicksite Friends. An American offshoot of the Society of Friends or Quakers under Elias Hicks in 1827.
Highbury. From the bury or enclosed land belonging to the Knights of St John of Jerusalem in Clerkenwell. In 1271 they built a priory here, of which the barn remained standing until modern days. Compared with the low-lying district round about, this was elevated ground.
Highbury Barn. Originally a cake and ale house contiguous to the ancient barn of the Clerkenwell Priory. This place of public resort developed into a theatre in 1865; subsequently it degenerated into a dancing saloon, and was finally abolished in 1875.
Highfalutin. A corruption of “high-flighting.” This word originated in the western states of North America.
Highgate. The village that sprang up around the ancient toll gate on the road from London to Barnet. The tolls levied here were for the benefit of the Bishop of London. Even in our time this elevated situation commands a good view of London. The absurd ceremony of “swearing on the horns” was formerly imposed on all travellers passing through the gate.
142High Seas. The great ocean highways out of sight of land and common to mariners of all nations.
High Tea. A substantial meat tea towards the close of the day in place of the fashionable set dinner. This is the invariable custom in Germany. In English it is usual to designate such a meal as a “Knife and Fork Tea.” See “High Time.”
High Time. A phrase employed in the same sense as High Street, High Seas, Highway, etc.–i.e. great. The German word for wedding is Hochzeit, literally a “high time.” In America the expression for a festive occasion or a pleasurable trip is “a good time.”
Hilary Term. In law the sittings of the Courts from 11th to 13th January, so called from the festival of St Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers, on the latter date.
Hill Street. See “Hay Hill.”
Himalaya Mountains. From the Sanskrit hima, snow, and alaya, abode.
Hinde Street. After James Hinde, a speculative builder, who more than a century ago laid out many of the streets now covering what was the estate of Marylebone Park.
Hindustan. Agreeably to the Persian stan, the country traversed by the Hindu or Indus; both terms are derived from the Sanskrit Sindhu, “great river.”
Hippodrome. Expresses the Greek for a race-course, from hippos, a horse, and dromos, a course.
Hippocras. A cordial of spiced wine, so called by the apothecaries because it was supposed to have been made from the prescription of Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine.
His Nibs. A corruption of “His Nobs”; used ironically for “His Highness” in reference to a parvenu or a conceited upstart.
Hispania. See “Spain.”
Hoboken. Indian for the “smoke pipe,” or pipe of peace. 143This was the place where the chiefs first met the white settlers, and while passing round the calumet entered into a friendly treaty.
Hobson’s Choice. In the seventeenth century Tobias Hobson kept a livery stable at Cambridge. When the students at the University wished to hire a horse for the day he led out the occupant of the first stall. If they demurred, he said abruptly: “It’s this one or none.” So Hobson’s choice settled the question.
Hock. The general name for Rhenish wines, but properly that made at Hockheim on the Maine.
Hockey. Expresses the diminutive of hook, the club used in this game being only slightly hooked at the end.
Hocking. See “Hock Tuesday.”
Hockley. Anglo-Saxon for a miry field. Clerkenwell was at one time called “Hockley-in-the-Hole,” after a bear garden dating from the Restoration period.
Hock Tuesday. Anciently a high festival throughout England, in commemoration for the final expulsion of the Danes, who had ravaged the eastern portions of our country for more than two centuries. This occurred on Easter Tuesday 1074. Most of the Danes were slaughtered off-hand by first hamstringing, or cutting their hams or houghs, which prevented them from making for their boats; hence the term Hock for the festival. The English landlords levied what was called “Hock Money” on this day from their tenants, in return for which they treated them to a good supper. In modern times people stopped pedestrians in the streets with ropes, and declined to release them until they had parted with hock money.
Hocus-pocus. The gibberish of a conjurer when performing his tricks; said to have been derived from one Ochus Bochus, a celebrated wizard of Northern Europe, three centuries ago. The early conjurers were thought to use these words as an invocation to this magician. Nowadays our sleight-of-hand professors dispense with words, and fire off a pistol, doubtless to prove that they can do the trick in a crack.
144Hodge. The generic name for a farm labourer; a corruption of Hedger.
Hoist with his own Petard. Caught in his own trap, blown up with his own engine of destruction. The petard was an ancient infernal engine filled with gunpowder; he who fired it stood in great danger of sacrificing his own life.
Holborn. Anciently spelt “Holeburne,” the bourn or stream in a hollow. This was the River Fleet, which had an outlet into the Thames. Further north, in Clerkenwell, it was called “the River of Wells.”
Holborn Bars. The western limits of the city of London.
Hold hard. This exclamation, when the advice really means to stop or “leave go,” sounds ridiculous. It originally meant, as it still does in the Emerald Isle, to keep a firm hold with both hands on the back rail of an Irish jaunting car lest the rider might be thrown out of it.
Hole in the Wall. A tavern sign, derived from the fact that this house was originally approached either through an opening made in the ancient city wall or else through another house that stood in front of it.
Holiday. The modern form of “Holy Day,” expressive of a great feast in the Church calendar.
Holland. From the Danish ollant, “marshy ground.” The linen cloth of the same name was first made in Holland.
Holland Road. From Holland House, the residence of Henry Rich, Earl of Holland, temp. Charles I. By his marriage with the Dowager Countess of Warwick, widow of Lord Holland, in 1710, Joseph Addison became nominally master of this noble mansion, and here he died.
Hollands. See “Gin.”
Holles Street. In the West End, after John Holles, the 145last Duke of Newcastle, whose only daughter by her marriage carried the entire estate hereabouts into the possession of the Harleys. In Drury Lane, the name given by Gilbert, Earl of Clare, whose house stood in what became Clare Market, in honour of his uncle, Denzil, Lord Holles, temp. Charles I.
Holloway. At one time a miry highway in a hollow between Highbury and Highgate.
Holloway College. Founded in 1883 for the higher education of women at Egham, Surrey, by Thomas Holloway, the pioneer of modern advertising on a lavish scale.
Hollyhock. A species of mallow, called by the Anglo-Saxon hoc, and first brought to Europe from the Holy Land. Hence holy-hoc.
Holly Village. A modern settlement at Highgate founded by the Baroness Burdett Coutts-Bartlett but a short distance removed from her rural retreat known as Holly Lodge.
Holy Boys. The regimental nickname of the 9th Foot, because they sacked monasteries and sold Bibles in the street during the Peninsular War.
Holy Cross Day. Otherwise the “Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross,” 14th September, commemorates, the restoration of the Cross of Christ to Jerusalem, A.D. 628.
Holy Land. Palestine, the scene of the birth, life labours, and death of the Redeemer.
Holy Maid of Kent. The name given to Elizabeth Barton, a poor Kentish servant girl, who, subject to trances, foretold events, and afterwards entered a convent at Canterbury. Her fame as a religious enthusiast increased, until, for pronouncing sentence against the divorce of Queen Catherine of Aragon, she, in company with five monks, was hanged at Tyburn.
Holyrood Palace. This residence of the ancient kings of 146Scotland grew out of the Abbey of the Holy Rood built by David I. as the permanent abode of the Black Rood, brought to Scotland by St Margaret in 1070. This precious relic was a piece of the true cross set in gold and ebony. It fell into the hands of the English at the battle of Neville’s Cross in 1344, after which all trace of it was lost. James II. was born at Holyrood; here too he was buried. The foundations of the new palace were laid by James IV. in 1500.
Holywell. From the miraculous well of St Winifred in Flintshire, the scene of her martyrdom.
Holywell Lane. Here, in Shoreditch, stood an ancient Priory of Nuns of St John the Baptist, in the grounds of which a “sweet, holy well” was discovered.
Holywell Street. This now vanished thoroughfare, east of the Strand, received its name from a Holy Well close to the Church of St Clement Danes. That in Westminster marks the site of the town house of the Grosvenors, whose rural estates lay around “Holywell” in Flintshire.
Homely. An Americanism for “plain,” “ugly;” applied to persons only.
Home Office. The official department of the Secretary for Home–i.e., internal, Affairs.
Homerton. A corruption of “Heimathton,” which expressed the town that grew out of the Saxon village styled Heimath, “home” or “native country.”
Honduras. Spanish for “deep water.”
Honey Lane. In this lane stood an ancient market-house or hall for the sale of honey. Owing to the dearness of sugar prior to the discovery of America and the colonisation of the West Indies, honey was in general request.
Honeymoon. From the custom of the Scandinavians, who drank Hydromel, or diluted honey, for thirty days after a marriage feast.
147Honiton Lace. A superior kind of “Pillow Lace” made at Honiton in Devonshire. This industry was introduced into England by the Lollards, temp. Elizabeth.
Honor Oak. From the famous boundary oak beneath which Queen Elizabeth once dined. Prior to that event it bore the name of Gospel Oak, under whose shade, in common with all other parish boundary oaks, the Gospel was read there once a year.
Hoodlum. A street rough, originally a product of San Francisco, but now common in New York and most cities of the American Union. The origin of the term was thus accounted for by The Congregationalist, 26th September 1877: “A newspaper man in San Francisco, in attempting to coin a word to designate a gang of young street Arabs under the beck of one named ‘Muldoon,’ hit upon the idea of dubbing them Noodlums–that is, simply reversing the leader’s name. In writing the word the strokes of the N did not correspond in height, and the compositor, taking the N for an H, printed it Hoodlum. ‘Hoodlum’ it is, and probably ever will be.”
Hoodman Blind. The ancient form of the game of “Blind Man’s Buff.” Instead of being bandaged the Blind Man had the hood, which everyone wore, drawn over his eyes.
Hook it. A variant of “Sling your Hook.”
Hook of Holland. From the Dutch hoek, a cape, a corner. The same perverted designation obtained in all the early Dutch settlements of New York State, notably “Sandy Hook.”
Hooligan. A London rough. This term is of quite modern date, and clearly an adaptation of that which has become common all over the United States. See “Hoodlum.”
