PREFACE (continued 5)

Minories. This thoroughfare was laid out across the lands belonging to the Minoresses or Nuns of St Clare after their priory had been demolished at the Reformation. The Order of the Minoresses corresponded to the Friars Minor of the Franciscans founded by St Francis de Paula.

Minster. The distinction between a minster and a cathedral lies in this: the former is the church in connection with a monastery, whereas the latter contains the kathedra, or chair, of a bishop.

Minstrel Boy. A favourite page whose duty it was to attend a knight in peace and war. On his return from “feats of arms” he recited the doughty deeds of his master to the accompaniment of a lute, harp, or lyre in the banqueting-hall. In times of peace his theme was the bravery of the knight in the lists at tournaments or his prowess in defence of fair maidens.

Minstrel of the Border. The name bestowed upon William Wordsworth by Sir Walter Scott.

Mint. On the spot where Manlius Capitolinus had built himself a sumptuous residence the Romans set up a temple to Juno Moneta, or “The Monitress,” since Manlius had been apprised of the Gallic invasion through the cackling of the sacred geese. Subsequently 230this temple of Moneta was converted into an establishment for the coinage of money. Both mint and money therefore come from Moneta.

Mint Street. From the old mint established at Suffolk House by Henry VIII. when that property was sequestered to the Crown.

Minuet. So called from the Latin minutus, small, on account of the short, graceful steps which distinguish this dance.

Miserere. The name given to a mediæval choir stall of which the seat could be turned up so as to form a ledge for the support of the aged monks while kneeling. Its name, miserere, “Have mercy,” was singularly appropriate.

Misluck. An Americanism for misfortune or ill luck.

Misses’ Tailors. An Americanism for “Ladies’ Tailors.”

Mississippi. Indian for “great and long river.”

Missouri. Indian for “muddy water.”

Mitre. An inn sign most generally to be met with in a cathedral city, having reference, of course, to the mitre worn by a bishop.

Mitre Court. So called after an ancient Fleet Street tavern hard by.

Mitre Square. From an old inn, “The Mitre.”

Mob. From the Latin mobile vulgus, “the vulgar crowd.”

Mobtown. The name given to the city of Baltimore on account of the lawlessness of a certain section of its inhabitants.

Mocha. Coffee brought from the district of the same name in Arabia.

Mocking Bird. A species of thrush that mocks or imitates the notes produced by other birds.

Moet and Chandon. A favourite brand of champagne from the vineyards of the French firm trading under the name of “Moet et Chandon.”

231Molasses. The American term for syrup or treacle, derived from the French melasse, the root of which is the Latin mellis, honey.

Money. See “Mint.”

Mohair. From the Arabic Mukhayyar, “goatskin hair,” through the French moire, the fine silken hair of the Angora goat.

Mohawks. Night marauders who in the days of the “Old Charlies” terrorised peaceable London citizens, self-styled after the fierce Indian tribe of the same name. “Mohawk” means “man-eater” or “live-eater,” this term being applied to the Iroquois by the eastern Indians of North America.

Moire Antique. The French description of watered silk worked in the style of the olden times. See “Mohair.”

Moldavia. The country traversed by the River Moldau.

Moleskin. A superior fabric of fustian or strong cotton distinguished for a smoothness like the hair of the mole.

Molly Maguires. An Irish Secret Society in the United States, more especially Pennsylvania, composed of young men dressed in women’s clothes, and with blackened faces, who did not hesitate to murder in connection with the agrarian outrages that they committed. The execution of ten of the ringleaders in June 1877 at length put an end to their reign of terror.

Monastery. From the Greek monos, alone. This term expresses an establishment of monks, secluded from one another in cells except when at prayers or at meals; recluses who never go into the outer world at all. A Friary, on the contrary, is a convent whose inmates live in community and go forth to preach among the people.

Monday. A term derived from Scandinavian mythology when, after the first day of the week given up to sun-worship, 232the second was set apart for the worship of the moon.

Money makes Money. This is a truism which it were vain to deny. Without capital a man cannot possibly set up in business for himself, even as a costermonger. The command of money makes its possessor doubly rich.

Monger. This word enters into various designations of the trading community, such as Fishmonger, Costermonger, being derived from the Anglo-Saxon mongere, “one who trades.”

Monk. From the Greek monachos, “one who lives alone.” See “Monastery.”

Monkey. From the Italian monicchio, the diminutive of monna, an ape. This word is often used as a verb--e.g. “Don’t monkey about on there,” meaning “Don’t play about or be up to monkeyish pranks.”

Monkey Board. The platform at the back of an omnibus, so called on account of the capers usually indulged in by the conductor. On a vehicle of the old-fashioned kind this platform was so small that he had to jump off it in order to allow a passenger to enter or alight.

Monk Lewis. The sobriquet of Matthew Gregory Lewis after he had published his celebrated novel, “The Monk,” in 1795.

Monmouth. The mouth of the Mon, the ancient description of which was Mynwy, “the border river.”

Montague Place. This, like the street close by, received its name from Montague House, the town mansion of the Dukes of Montague, in which the treasures of the British Museum were at first deposited pending the erection of the present edifice.

Montague Square. Like the street of the same name, this was designated in compliment to Mrs Montague of the “Blue Stocking Club,” who after the death of her husband resided in Portman Square.

Mont Blanc. French for “white mountain,” because it is eternally snow-clad.

233Montenegro. Literally “black mountain.”

Montepulciano. A famous Italian wine produced at the ancient city of the same name.

Montgomery. After Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Shrewsbury, who obtained forcible possession of the castle erected on the height by the Lord of the Marshes in the time of William the Conqueror.

Montreal. So called from the admiring exclamation of Jacques Coutier, when in 1534 he viewed the surrounding country from its summit. The name is French for “Royal Mount.”

Montserrat. Expresses the Latin for a mountain serrated or jagged like a saw.

Monumental City. Baltimore, so called on account of its one hundred and four churches, the obelisk, etc., which it contains.

Moonshiners. The name given in the western states of America to illicit whisky distillers.

Moonshine Whisky. American whisky distilled under cover of night by “Moonshiners.”

Moorfields. See “Moorgate Street.”

Moorgate Street. From the postern gate in the Roman Wall leading to the moor beyond the fen lands or marshes of Finsbury known as Moorfields.

Moors. From the Latin mauri, and Spanish moros, “black.” Elsewhere denominated “Saracens,” these Arab conquerors of the peninsula were called by the Spaniards “Moriscoes.”

Mop Fair. The name given to a fair held a few days after the periodical Statute Fair for the hiring of farm servants. The dregs of the Statute Fair are then mopped or swept up.

Moravia. From the Morava, which name expresses a marsh or boundary river.

Moravians. The followers of John Huss, driven out of Bohemia and Moravia by religious persecutions early in the eighteenth century.

234Morgan Horse. A favourite breed of American sporting horse descended from the animal owned by Justin Morgan, a schoolmaster of Randolph, Vermont, nearly a hundred years ago.

Morgue. So far from denoting a mortuary, this term really means the inner wicket of a prison, where the identification marks of new arrivals are taken before they have their cells and tasks assigned to them. It is therefore not incorrectly applied to the place of public examination and identification of the unknown dead.

Morisonians. A religious sect which separated from the Scottish Presbyterians in 1841, under the leadership of James Morison.

Mormons. A sect whose founder, Joseph Smith, claimed to have received a new revelation in “The Book of Mormon,” written on gold plates by the angel Mormon, the last of the Hebrew line of prophets, in 1827.

Mornington Crescent. After the Earl of Mornington, Governor-General of India, the brother of the Duke of Wellington.

Morocco. The territory of the Moriscoes or “Moors.”

Morris Dance. An ancient military dance of the Moriscoes or Moors of Spain introduced to England by John of Gaunt after his return from that country, temp. Edward III. Hence the companions of the “Jack in the Green” at the May Day festival always blackened their faces, and disported themselves in extravagant costumes, imitative of the flowing robes of the original dancers. See “Maid Marian.”

Mortimer Street. After Edward Harley, Earl of Wigmore and Mortimer, landlord of the estate in 1717.

Mosaics. So called because such inlaid work of stones was originally employed in the pavements of the temples of the Muses. The word is French mosaique, derived from the same Greek root as Museum.

Moscow. From the River Moskwa, on which the city was built.

235Moselle. Wines produced at the vineyards on the banks of the French river of the same name.

Moslem. From the Arabic Muslim, “true believer,” through Salama, “to submit.” This term expresses the plural of “Mussulman” among the Persians. By the Turks “true believers” are styled “Moslemin.” There is no such word as “Mussulmen” or “Mussulmans.”

Mosquito. From the Spanish mosca, a fly.

Mosquito Coast. A territory in Central America which, on account of its climate and the swampy nature of the land, is infested by mosquitoes.

Mothering Sunday. The Sunday in Mid-Lent when the members of a family in domestic service visit their parents and enjoy “Mothering Cakes” for tea. These cakes had their origin in offerings made to the “Mother Church” on the afternoon on this day.

Mother Black Cap. A public-house sign in Camden Town set up in opposition to the “Mother Red Cap” over the way. There never was a noted character of this name.

Mother of Believers. The name bestowed by Mohammedans upon Ayesha, the favourite wife of “The Prophet,” styled “The Father of Believers.” Mohammed himself declared that Ayesha was the only member of his family who cherished the slightest faith in his mission. His preference for his second wife, therefore, can be readily understood.

Mother of Presidents. Virginia, on account of the many Presidents which this state has given to the American Republic.

Mother of South-Western Statesmen. Tennessee, from the seventeen eminent Congressmen which this state has given to the Union.

Mother of States. Virginia, the pioneer British colony in the New World.

Mother Red Cap. An omnibus stage in Camden Town, 236the sign of which perpetuates the memory of a notorious London poisoner during the Commonwealth.

Mother Shipton. A noted hostelry at Haverstock Hill, built when the prophecies of this Welsh sorceress were the common talk of the day. Some of her less baneful predictions were actually verified; notably those as to ships ploughing the ocean without sails and vehicles careering along the road without horses. Is it possible that she had the motor car in her mind?

Moulin Rouge. Expresses the French for “Red Mill.”

Mound City. St Louis, on account of the numerous artificial mounds occupying its site at the time when the city was built.

Mountain. The extremists of the Democratic party in France during the Reign of Terror, so called because they occupied the elevated benches in the House of Convention.

Mountain Dew. An Irishman’s term for whisky, because it was often secretly distilled among the mountains in order to escape excise duty; hence the expression: “A drop o’ the cratur.”

Mount Street. On a natural mound the Parliamentary forces here erected a fort or bastion when the Royalists were expected to make an attack upon London from the west.

Mrs Grundy. A term expressive of the prudishness of the English character. It arose out of the line: “What will Mrs Grundy say?” in Thomas Morton’s drama, “Speed the Plough,” produced in 1798.

Mudlarks. The nickname of the Royal Engineers, whose function it is to throw up entrenchments.

Muff. This term was at first applied to an effeminate dandy who at one time, like the ladies, carried a muff to keep his hands warm in winter. This incapacitated him from defending himself with his sword against an unexpected attack at the hands of a street bully, and hence, as now, a muff was easily taken advantage of, or likely to become a prey to the sharp-witted.

237Muff Dogs. Small dogs carried by ladies in their muffs during the seventeenth century. A “muff dog” figures in an engraving by Hollar.

Mug. Slang for a man’s face. This arose out of the rude portraiture of Lord Shaftesbury or some other political celebrity which from the time of the Restoration to the middle of the eighteenth century adorned the yellow chinaware beer mugs at an alehouse, or Mug-House as it was called. These Mug-Houses were the first political clubs; out of them sprang the popular “Free and Easies” of modern times, and more recently the Music Halls.

Muggletonians. A religious sect headed by Ludovic Muggleton, a tailor, who proclaimed himself a prophet, in 1651.

Mugwump. An Indian word for “wise chief.” The Mugwumps of North America are the Democrats, whose political aims are above cliques or parties; therefore they refuse to be influenced by a “Caucus.”

Mulatto. From the Spanish mulato, a mixed breed, through mulo, a mule, the offspring of a white and a Negro.

Mumm. A strong German beer named after Christian Mumme, who first brewed it.

Mummer. Slang for an actor. This old English term, derived from the German mumme, a mask, was applied to the performers in a Christmas masque or buffoonery.

Mummock. An Americanism for handle, disarrange, or play with--e.g. “Don’t mummock things about.” The word is really obsolete provincial English for “maul.”

Munich. From the German monchen, monks. On the spot where the city stands some monks built a warehouse for the salt which they obtained in the neighbourhood. In the twelfth century Henry the Lion made this Villa Minichen, as it was then called, into a mint, and a town grew up around it.

Munster Road. From Munster House, the residence of Melesina Schulenberg, created Duchess of Munster by George II.

238Munster Square. In honour of the eldest son of William IV., created Earl of Munster.

Murphies. Potatoes, the chief articles of consumption among the Irish peasantry. This term is current also in America.

Muscadel. French and Italian wines, so called from the Italian muscado, musk, nutmeg. Variants of this name are Muscatel and Muscadine.

Muscatels. Raisins exported from Muscat in the Gulf of Oman, Arabia.

Muscovy Duck. A corruption of “Musk duck,” a species larger than the common duck.

Mush. An Americanism for an umbrella.

Musical Comedy Artiste. The new pet name for a chorus girl.

Musical Small-Coal Man. The lifelong sobriquet of Thomas Britton of Aylesbury Street, Clerkenwell, where was his coal shed. He inaugurated Thursday evening concerts, that attracted fashionable enthusiasts from the West End. This worthy, though he earned his livelihood by crying small coals in the street, was a scholar, a musician, and a companion of gentlemen.

Muslin. Called by the French Mousseline, from Mosul in Asiatic Turkey, whence during the Middle Ages this fabric was sent to supply all the markets of Europe.

Muss. An Americanism for “mess,” used in the sense of a confusion or disorder. It is used also to imply a squabble or a reprimand--e.g. “I got into a dreadful muss this morning.”

Mussulman. See “Moslem.”

Muswell Hill. Properly “Mustwell Hill,” from the Latin mustus, fresh. On this hill there was discovered an ancient well of clear, fresh water, that belonged to the prior of St John’s Clerkenwell and Highbury, who had a dairy farm hereabouts.

Mutes. See “Undertaker.”

Mutoscope. A modern peep show, in which the figures 239move; living pictures, so called from the Latin mutatis, to change, and the Greek skopein, to view.

Myddleton Square. After Sir Hugh Myddleton, who at his own cost embarked upon the ruinous enterprise of constructing the New River from Chadwell in Hertfordshire, nearly forty miles distant, to London. One of the reservoirs occupies the enclosed portion of this square.

My Eye. An exclamation signifying “You dazzle me,” “You make me blink with astonishment.” Its American equivalent is briefly “My!”

My Lady Nicotine. The pretty name now generally applied to tobacco since the republication in book form of J. M. Barrie’s essays on smoking which originally appeared in the St James’s Gazette. See “Nicotine.”

Mythology. From the Greek muthos, a fable, and logos, a discourse. This was essentially a religion built upon fable.

My Uncle. The popular designation of a pawnbroker. See “Uncle.”

N

Nailed. Slang for “caught,” in allusion to being pinned down by the captors. Also a thing seized and made off with; a punning reference to “driving” a nail.

Naked Possessor. The Far West description of the possessor of a piece of land for a long period without a legal title to it. He is the naked possessor because his title is not clothed in a set form of words recognised by the Courts of Law.

Nankeen. Cotton stuff originally made at Nankin, in China.

Nankin. Expresses the Chinese for “Southern Capital.”

Nanny Goats. The nickname of the 23rd Foot on account of their regimental pet goat.

240Nantes. A native brandy exported from Nantes in Brittany. The name is the Celtic for “valley.”

Nap. A game of cards, originally named after Napoleon I.

Naples. Called by the Greeks Neapolis, “New City.” The ancient name is better expressed when speaking of the inhabitants as “Neapolitans.”

Napoleon. A gold coin of France issued during the Consulate of Napoleon Bonaparte. This superseded the “Louis d’Or.”

Narcissus. This flower is fabled to have sprung up on the spot where the beautiful Grecian youth so called died of love-sickness.

Naso. The nickname given to Ovid on account of the length of his nose; hence “Ovidius Naso.”

Nassau Street. After the royal House of Nassau, to which William III., as Prince of Orange, belonged.

Natal. So called because the Portuguese navigator Vasco di Gama landed upon its shores on Christmas Day, or the Feast of the Nativity, 1498.

Nation. An Americanism for “damnation.”

National Democrats. Those in the United States whose principles are national as opposed to sect or party.

Navvy. Originally the name of a labourer employed in the construction of canals for inland navigation. An alehouse set up beside one of the earliest canals bore the sign of the “Navigation Inn,” and those who frequented it were called Navigators. This term soon became shortened into Navvies.

Nazarenes. Semi-converted Jews who, while nominally Christians, believed “Jesus of Nazareth” to be the long-promised Messiah, and still conformed to the rites and ceremonies prescribed by the Jewish law.

Nebraska. Indian for “water valley.” This fertile region is traversed by several shallow rivers.

Neckerchief. A kerchief for the neck. See “Handkerchief.”

241Neckwear. An American term for neckties, scarves, or mufflers.

Needle in a Bottle of Hay. See “Bottle of Hay.”

Needle’s Eye. The postern gate in the wall of an Eastern city, so called because with some difficulty a camel is able to thread its way through it.

Negus. Hot spiced wine, originally concocted by Colonel Negus in the reign of Queen Anne.

Nemesis. From the goddess of vengeance, who bore this name.

Nepaul Paper. India paper made in the district of Nepaul, Northern India. The original India paper came from the Far East.

Nest Egg. The nucleus of a banking account, so called because if a china egg be placed in a hen’s nest it is an inducement for her to lay eggs of her own there. When a person has a trifle put by he is anxious to increase it.

Nestorians. A sect of heretics of the fifth century under Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople.

Netherlands. Literally the Low Countries, now comprised in the kingdom of Holland.

Netop. Indian for “my friend.” In saluting a friendly Indian a white in North America always makes use of this word.

Nevada. Spanish for “snowy,” in allusion to the snow-clad mountain ridges of this state.

New Amsterdam. The name given by the Dutch settlers to their colony at the mouth of the Hudson River, now “New York.”

New Bond Street. See “Bond Street.”

New Bridge Street. Leads to Westminster Bridge, opened in 1862. This name was chosen in contradistinction to Bridge Street, Blackfriars.

New Brunswick. On assuming its independence of Nova Scotia in 1784 this British colony was named after the House of Brunswick.

242New Burlington Street. See “Burlington Street.”

Newcastle-under-Lyme. The name of the river on which the town stands is the Lyne, not the Lyme. To take the place of an ancient castle at Chesterton-under-Lyne a new castle was built in this neighbourhood, but of such a stronghold no vestige now remains.

Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Originally Moncaster or Monkchester, so called from a colony of monks on the site of a Roman camp. Robert, Duke of Normandy, the son of William the Conqueror, built a castle here for the defence of the town against the incursions of the Scots. This castle was afterwards rebuilt by William II.; whereupon the town assumed the title of Newcastle.

New Cavendish Street. See “Cavendish Square.”

New Compton Street. See “Compton Street.”

New Christians. Portuguese Jews of the fifteenth century who, having embraced Christianity under compulsion, secretly conformed to the Mosaic rites and ceremonies.

New Cross. The district which grew up around an old coaching-house, “The Golden Cross,” afterwards rebuilt, and renamed “The New Cross.”

New England. The collective name given to the six eastern states of the American Union--Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut--because the people are descended from the Puritans of England and Scotland, and therefore may be regarded as the only true “Yankees.”

Newfoundland. The name bestowed by Sebastian Cabot upon all the new land that he discovered, but now confined to this British possession.

Newfoundland Dog. A native breed of dog from Newfoundland.

Newgate Street. From the newest of the city gates, first alluded to in history in 1207. The gateway having for centuries been used for the confinement of debtors, 243it gave its name to the prison erected on its south side. The gloomy edifice which has been demolished within the last few years dated from 1782, after the burning of its predecessor by the Gordon rioters in 1780.

New Hampshire. This state having been granted to Captain John Mason, he in 1629 named it after his native county in England.

New Holland. The name given to what is now Australia by its Dutch settlers in 1606 after their Mother Country.

Newington. Expresses the new settlement in the meadow.

Newington Butts. The site of the archery butts in South London corresponding to those of Moorfields in the north.

Newington Causeway. This was the first road or causeway across the swampy fields of South London beyond the “Borough.”

New Jersey. In honour of Sir George Cartaret, the gallant defender of Jersey Island against the Parliamentary forces in 1664.

Newman Street. After the builder on the site.

New Orleans. The name given to the French settlement in the New World after the city in the Mother Country.

New Pye Street. See “New Way.”

New Scotland Yard. The new headquarters of the Metropolitan Police, occupying a site which has not the slightest connection with its name, and devoid of all historic interest further than that its foundations were laid for a Metropolitan Opera House, the building of which went no further. With the transference of the Police Department from “Scotland Yard” the old name was retained.

New Southgate. The modern residential district in the vicinity of the entrance to the enclosed hunting ground extending northward to Enfield, anciently known as Enfield Chase.

New Spain. The name given by Cortes to “Mexico.”

244News-stand. An Americanism for a railway bookstall.

New Way. A modern extension of Old and New Pye Streets, named after Sir Robert Pye, who had his residence on its site.

New Woman. A term which came into vogue during the early days of the modern bicycling craze. The New Woman disported herself abroad in knickerbockers, and generally made herself ridiculous in the eyes of all sensible men. Latterly she has returned to the obscurity whence she sprang.

New York. Originally New Amsterdam. When taken from the Dutch in 1664 it received the name it now bears in compliment to the Duke of York, afterwards James II.

New Zealand. Named by the Dutch after their native Zeeland, or “Sea-land,” of the Low Countries.

Niagara. From the Indian On-aw-garah, “the thunder of waters.”

Nicaragua. So called by Gil Gonzales de Avila in 1521, after a Haytian chief called Nicaro, who gave him a friendly reception on the shores of the lake, which also bears this name.

Nicholas Lane. After the wealthy banker, Sir Nicholas Throgmorton, who also gave his name to Throgmorton Street.

Nickel. An American five-cent piece, so called because it is coined out of nickel silver.

Nick of the Woods. The first word in this American designation is a corruption of “neck,” denoting a settlement or habitation in the wooded regions of the south-western states.

Nicotiana. The tobacco-producing regions of the United States. See “Nicotine.”

Nicotine. After Jean Nicot, who introduced tobacco, which he had purchased at Lisbon, into France in 1560.

245Nigger. A corruption of Negro, which term is derived from the Latin niger, “black.”

Nightcap. Since everyone in the days of our grandfathers wore a nightcap, and fancied he could not go to sleep without one, so the modern substitute is a glass of spirits just before retiring, with a view to making him feel drowsy; hence such a drink is called a “nightcap.”

Nightingale. Literally a bird that sings in the night.

Nihilist. Originally a member of a Russian society whose members recognised no law save their own happiness. They sought to annihilate all ideas of God and government, as also of the rights of property. These ultra-Socialists sprang into existence in 1848.

Nimrod. Charles James Apperley, the sporting contributor to The Quarterly Review, and author of “The Chase, The Turf, and The Road,” adopted this pseudonym after Nimrod, the son of Cush, who is mentioned in Genesis x. 9 as the “mighty hunter before the Lord.”

Nincompoop. A dull-witted person, so called from the Latin phrase non compos mentis, “of unsound mind.”

Nine Days’ Wonder. Puppies and kittens remaining blind for nine days after birth, they are during this period a subject of much wonder to the young members of the household. A sensational event or a piece of public scandal arouses uncommon interest for a few days, and then it gradually subsides.

Nine Elms. From nine fine elm-trees on this portion of the south bank of the Thames.

Nine Tailors make a Man. The second word in this expression is a corruption of Tellers. A “Teller” was in olden times a stroke of the “passing bell” of the parish church. Three tellers gave warning of the death of a child, six of a woman, and nine of a man. As the parishioners counted the strokes they would say: “Nine tellers make a man.”

246Ninny. Short for “Nincompoop.” In America this term is generally thought to be derived from “Pickaninny.”

Niphon. The native name of “Japan.”

Nipped in the Bud. While a flower is in the bud it may be destroyed by a mere nip of the fingers. Afterwards its leaves would have to be plucked separately. To curb mischief or a bad habit at the very commencement is therefore the easier plan.

Nipper. Originally in thieves’ slang a boy trained to pick purses and pockets, and nip off unobserved; hence the expression “A Young Nipper.”

Nitrate King. The sobriquet of the late Colonel J. T. North, who amassed a fortune by the nitrate industry in South America.

Nob. Short for “noble” or “nobleman.” From University slang the term has come to imply among the vulgar anyone of aristocratic pretensions.

Noctes Ambrosianæ. A characteristic feature of Blackwood’s Magazine in its early days. This, “The Ambrosial Nights,” was contributed as a regular series by Professor Wilson, being for the most part the actual conversations of the author, John Gibson Lockhart, and Mr Blackwood at a small Edinburgh tavern kept by one Ambrose. Although Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd, also figured in those dialogues, he was not present at the meetings.

Nocturne. A quiet, dreamy species of musical composition, suggestive, as its name denotes, of peaceful night.

Noddy. A kind of jaunting car peculiar to Dublin, so called because its jolting motion makes its riders nod their heads.

No Flies on me. An Americanism expressive of individual energy. The meaning is: “I am so active that no flies can ever settle on me.”

No Hat Brigade. Modern faddists who walk abroad bare-headed and shelter themselves against the elements under an umbrella.

247Nonconformists. Those ministers of the Church of England who refused to subscribe or conform to the “Act of Conformity,” and thereby lost their livings. The term is now generally applied to all Dissenting congregations.

No Quarter. When the battle cry of “No Quarter,” consequent on an order, goes forth, no lives are spared by the victors. To give quarter means to spare the vanquished. This had its origin in ancient European warfare, when, by way of earning prize-money, a soldier refrained from dealing the death blow to a fallen foe on condition of receiving a quarter of the latter’s pay.

Norfolk. The northern of the two districts or counties on the east coast settled by the Angles, the north folk and south folk respectively.

Norfolk Howards. An excess of refinement has caused this term to be substituted for bugs. This originated in the action of Joshua Bugg of the Swan Tavern, Norwich, who by deed poll, as advertised in The Times 26th June 1862, changed his name to Norfolk Howard. In America all beetles are commonly styled bugs.

Norfolk Street. From the town house and grounds of the Howards, Dukes of Norfolk and Earls of Arundel and Surrey.

Norland Square. Built on the site of Norland House, the residence of one of the Drummonds, bankers of Charing Cross, temp. William IV.

Normandy. The country peopled by the Northmen or Danes.

Northampton. Anciently described as “Northavontown,” having been built on the north of the River Avon, now called the Nen.

North Audley Street. See “Audley Street.”

North Britain. Scotland. In conjunction with England and Wales it becomes Great Britain.

248North Pole. A tavern sign in Wardour Street up at the time when Captain Parry’s Arctic Expedition was the common topic of interest.

North Star State. Minnesota, so called on account of its northern situation in the Union and the motto on its arms: “L’Etoile du Nord.”

Northumberland. The north-east portion of that vast tract of land described as “Northumbria,” because situated north of the River Humber under the Heptarchy.

Northumberland Alley. This name in Fenchurch Street is reminiscent of the original town house of the Dukes of Northumberland before they took up their residence at Charing Cross in 1607.

Northumberland Avenue. From Northumberland House, the town mansion of the Dukes of Northumberland, demolished in 1874 to make way for this fine broad thoroughfare.

Norton Folgate. A corruption of “Northern Falgate”; expressive of the fine barred gate leading from Bishopsgate without the city limits into the open fields.

Norway. Called in the native tongue Nordrike, “the north kingdom.” This country was long thought to be wholly surrounded by water, on which account it received the name of Nordee, “north island.” This the Saxons modified in Norea, and later Norway.

Norwich. So called from the castle erected by the East Anglian kings as a “North wic,” or northern fortified village, relative to Caistor, to resist the invasion of the Danes.

Norwood. This was formerly the northern portion of the vast wooded district situated between London and Croydon.

None of my Funeral. An American mode of saying “Nothing to do with me,” or “It’s no affair of mine.” Being an Americanism, the expression is devoid of etymology.

Nosey. The nickname borne by Cervetto, the violoncellist 249of Drury Lane Theatre, and John Wilson, the painter, both of whom had exceptionally long noses. The Duke of Wellington was also popularly referred to under this name by his soldiers on account of his Roman nose.

Nothing succeeds like Success. When a man is successful the world bows before him. Each fresh enterprise is crowned with success, because there is an abiding public faith in the man who has made money or hit the popular taste. His intrinsic merits may be no greater than those of the poor devil who has systematically failed; yet what he lacks himself he readily finds in his subordinates, whom he can afford to pay, while the credit is all his own.

Notions. An Americanism for small wares or trifles in regard to dress.

Not much. An Americanism for “of no consequence.”

Not quite the Cheese. A saying which originated with those who insisted on being served with prime Stilton or double Glo’ster.

Nottingham. Called by the Anglo-Saxons Snottengaham, “a place of caves.” The name is partly Celtic, and little doubt exists that the Britons made their habitations in the caverns with which this county abounds.

Nottingham Place. After the county estates of the Duke of Portland, the great ground landlord. A goodly portion of Sherwood Forest is included in this ducal possession.

Notting Hill. Properly “Knolton Barn Hill,” the ancient description of a manor of the De Veres, which in the time of Henry VIII. was held by Robert Fenroper, an alderman of the city of London.

Not worth a Dam. See “Don’t care a Dam.”

Not worth a Rap. A rap was an Irish copper coin issued early in the eighteenth century to supply a long-felt need for very small money. Nominally worth a halfpenny, its metal was so thin and base that it 250never passed for more than a farthing. Its infinitesimal value consequently gave rise to this expression.

Not worth a Song. A song is worth nothing at all after its popularity has waned. The good old songs live on account of their intrinsic merits, but they were not pushed into public favour by adventitious methods at the time of publication. Those of our day are ground out of street pianos and sung everywhere for a brief season, then heard no more.

Nova Scotia. This name, expressive of “New Scotland,” was bestowed upon the island by Sir William Alexander, a Scotsman, to whom James I. granted a charter of colonisation in 1621.

Nova Zembla. From the Slavonic Nowaja Zemlja, “new land.”

November. From novem, nine, the ninth month of the Roman calendar when the year commenced with March.

Noyau. Expresses the French for the stone or nut of a fruit; hence the name given to a cordial flavoured with the kernel of the bitter almond or peach stone.

Nun. From the Italian nonna, a grandmother. Those who retired into convents originally were aged women. It was only in modern times that seminaries for girls were established in convents; this opened the way to maidens becoming deeply imbued with religious ideas and secluding themselves from the world by taking the veil.

Nunhead. From a tea garden and holiday resort known to Londoners as “The Nun’s Head” ever since the days of James I.

Nutcrackers. The 3rd Foot, so called because they boasted of having broken the heads of the Polish Lancers at the battle of Albuera.

Nutcrack Night. Another name for All Hallows’ Eve, when nuts are laid on the fire bars to crack, as a relic of an ancient kind of divination.

251Nutmeg State. Connecticut, whose people were believed to manufacture wooden nutmegs for exportation.

O

Oak Apple Day. Another name for Royal Oak Day (29th May), when people formerly wore oak leaves or oak apples in their hats to commemorate the manner in which the partisans of Charles II. welcomed his return to England on his birthday, 1651. This was, of course, in allusion to his concealment in an oak-tree near Boscobel House, Shropshire, after the battle of Worcester, on 3rd September previous.

Oakley Square. After Oakley House, near Bedford, one of the country seats of the Duke of Bedford, the ground landlord.

Oaks Stakes. So called from a Lodge or Club-House built among the oaks by the Hunters’ Club, and afterwards converted into an inn, known as “Lambert’s Oaks,” after the name of its landlord.

Obiter Scripta. Latin for a thing written in passing, a note by the way.

Observants. The name borne by those monastic orders whose members adhere to the strict rule laid down by their pious founders in contradistinction to others styled “Conventuals,” who, like the secular clergy, take upon themselves the performance of parochial duties.

Obstropulous. A corruption of the word “obstreperous,” inclined to quarrelling.

Ocean Greyhound. A fast Atlantic steamer belonging to one of the great lines.

Octavo. A sheet of printing paper which, when folded and cut, makes eight leaves or sixteen pages.

October. The eighth month of the Roman calendar when the year began with March.

Octroi. The name given to a toll or tax levied upon 252market produce passing through the gates of a town. It comes from the Latin auctoritas, authority.

Odder. Colloquial for one who obtains a livelihood by doing odd jobs.

Oddfellows. This friendly society originated with five Manchester shoemakers who in 1812 were accustomed to meet after the day’s work. It having occurred to one of them how his family would fare if, through sickness, he should be unable to follow his occupation, and thinking it would be wise to make some provision against such a contingency, he proposed that each of them should subscribe a few pence weekly towards a common sick fund. The idea was at once taken up. They called themselves Oddfellows because they numbered five. Others soon joined the little society, and from these humble beginnings it grew into a powerful organisation.

Odd rot it. A perversion of the Crusaders’ curse: “God rot them!” meaning the Saracens, the enemies of Christianity.

Odds Bodkins. A perversion of “God’s Body,” in allusion to the Eucharist. This oath was not considered profane during the Ages of Faith.

Odds Fish. A favourite exclamation of Charles II. It was a corruption of “God’s Flesh,” or the Body of Christ.

Odds Splutter. A corruption of the Dutch oath Got’s plut, “God’s Blood,” introduced into England during the reign of William III.

Odd Zounds. A corruption of “God’s Wounds.” See “Zounds.”

Off Colour. To look pale and sickly.

Off the Hooks. An expression meaning “beyond hope of requisition for further service,” “completely done for,” whether on the score of chronic ill health, lunacy, or old age. This originally had reference to the Maypole stored away in Shaft Alley, Leadenhall Street, and perhaps other Maypoles elsewhere of post-Reformation 253days. As long as it rested “on the hooks” there was a likelihood of its being once more called into service. See “St Andrew Undershaft.”

Ohio. Indian for “beautiful.”

O.K. This arose out of an Irishman’s endorsement for goods passed by him, as he would have spelt out the words “Orl Korrect.”

Old Bags. The nickname of Lord Eldon, because he always carried about with him, in separate brief bags, the cases on which he had to pass judgment.

Old Bailey. From the Latin ballium, a rampart, through the French baille. The term “Bailey” expressed the open space or court between a castle and the embattlements. Seeing that Lud Gate stood in line with this street at its southern extremity, there must have been a keep or fortification behind the Roman Wall where the Sessions House came to be built. The name was therefore retained after the wall was demolished.

Old Bold Fifth. The 5th Fusiliers, which regiment has distinguished itself for valorous deeds in many campaigns.

Old Bond Street. See “Bond Street.”

Old Broad Street. With the exception of Cheapside, this was the widest thoroughfare in Old London, all the others being similar to what Old Change is at the present day. During Elizabeth’s reign Old Broad Street constituted the residence of the wealthiest citizens.

Old Buffer. The colloquial term for a short, thick-set elderly man, whose big paunch suggests a railway buffer.

Old Bullion. See “Bullion State.”

Old Burlington Street. See “Burlington Street.”

Old Carthusians. Old scholars of the “Charter House.”

Old Catholics. The followers in Germany of the late Dr Döllinger, who separated from the Roman Catholic 254Communion after the promulgation of the dogma of Papal Infallibility in 1870.

Old Cavendish Street. See “Cavendish Square.”

Old Change. So called from “The King’s Exchange,” where the bullion was anciently stored prior to being sent to the shearers or clippers at the neighbouring Mint. See “Sermon Lane.”

Old Charlies. See “Charlies.”

Old Christmas Day. Twelfth Day, because, according to the old style calendar, Christmas Day fell on what is now 6th January.

Old Compton Street. See “Compton Street.”

Old Dominion. Virginia, on account of its documentary description, “the Colony and Dominion of Virginia.”

Old England. This term was first applied to the Mother Country after the colonisation of New England in North America.

Old Fogey. A term derived from the Danish fjog, a stupid old man, one in his dotage.

Old Fox. The sobriquet of Marshal Soult on account of his strategic cunning.

Old Grog. The nickname of Admiral Edward Vernon, who always wore a grogram cloakcloak in foul weather.

Old Harry. A corruption of “Old Hairy,” as applied to the Devil.

Oldham. Expresses the old home or settlement.

Old Hat. A country tavern sign which must have been the original when the same premises was devoted to some other business, in days characterised by the display of signs by tradesmen generally.

Old Hickory. “Hickory” is an Americanism used adjectively for anyone who is tough, obstinate, or hard, after the tree of the same name. General Andrew Jackson merited the nickname of “Old Hickory” from his own soldiers on account of his tough, unyielding disposition. Its origin is thus explained by Parton, 255the author of the President’s “Life”: “The name of ‘Old Hickory’ was not an instantaneous inspiration, but a growth. First of all, the remark was made by some soldier, who was struck with his commander’s pedestrian powers, that the General was tough. Next it was observed that he was as tough as hickory. Then he was called ‘Hickory.’ Lastly, the affectionate ‘Old’ was prefixed, and the General thenceforth rejoiced in the completed nickname, usually the first-won honour of a great commander.”

Old Jewry. The original Jewish quarter of the city of London. See “Jewin Street.”

Old Kent Road. The South London portion of the Roman highway to Dover.

Old Lady of Threadneedle Street. The popular name of the Bank of England. There is a tradition that towards the end of the eighteenth century a demented old lady wandered up and down Threadneedle Street day by day for a long period until she suddenly disappeared. It was generally assumed that this old lady of Threadneedle Street must have been waiting for someone who had passed into the Bank, and, according to her idea, never came out again. When, therefore, in 1797 the Bank threatened a temporary stoppage of payment, and one-pound notes were issued, John Gilray, the artist, published a caricature entitled “The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street in Danger.” Since that time the Bank has been colloquially referred to by this title.

Old Line State. Maryland, whose famous regiment, the Old Maryland Line, saved the prestige of the army when Lord Cornwallis’s Grenadiers broke the American lines at Loughland.

Old North State. North Carolina, from its relative position to South Carolina.

Old Paulines. Old scholars of St Paul’s School.

Old Pye Street. See “New Way.”

Old Quebec Street. Laid out and built upon soon after the capture of Quebec by General Wolfe in 1759.

256Old Rep. Short for “Old Reprobate.”

Old Rowley. A sobriquet of Charles II., from the name of his favourite race-horse.

Old Rye. A United States term for old whisky distilled from rye.

Old Salt. An old sailor who has sniffed the brine of the ocean from his youth.

Old Scotland Yard. See “Scotland Yard.”

Old Soldiers. An Americanism for cigar-ends, because they are the remnants of the originals that have done good service.

Old Sport. An Americanism for a broken-down gambler.

Old Tom. The name first given to gin by Thomas Norris, who, after having long been employed in the distillery of Messrs Hodges, opened a gin palace in Covent Garden, and perpetuated the affectionate name of “Old Tom Chamberlain,” his former master.

Old Toughs. The nickname of the 103rd Foot, merited during the Indian Mutiny.

Old Woman. In stage parlance an actress who plays old women’s parts. A fine distinction is, however, drawn between “old women” and what are called “Aristocratic Old Women.”

On the Tapis. Tapis is French for a carpet; expressive also of the cloth or kind of tapestry which covered the table in the Council Chamber when French was the language spoken at the English Court.

On the Tenterhooks. To have one’s curiosity fully aroused; on the tiptop of expectation. The phrase has been derived from the mode of tentering or stretching cloth upon hooks after it is woven.

On the Tiptoe of Expectation. A phrase derived from the crowds awaiting a public procession. As soon as the music is heard everyone stands on tiptoe, and looks in the direction whence the sounds proceed.

Oof. A slang term for “money”; derived from the 257legendary “Oof Bird,” which from the Latin, ovum, an egg, traces its origin to the goose with the golden eggs.

Olive Branches. A man’s children are so designated from the Biblical simile in Psalm cxxviii. 3: “Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.”

Olla Podrida. A Spanish term for a mixture of meat and vegetables collected in a common pot for cooking as required. In a literary sense it signifies a miscellany of short productions. The French equivalent for the term is pot-pourri, which is also employed figuratively.

Omnibus. The dative Latin plural of omnes, all. In a public vehicle of this kind there is room for many, without class distinction.

One-horse. A term used adjectively for anything mean or insignificant. This figure of speech is derived from agriculture.

Oneida. Indian for “people of the beacon stone.”

Ontario. From the Indian Onontae, which expresses “the village on the mountain,” whence the tribe of the Onondagas derive their name.

On this Side of Jordan. An Americanism for “in this life” or “in this world.”

Opal. From the Sanskrit opula, through the Latin opalus, a precious stone.

Oporto. Portuguese for “the harbour.”

Orange Lilies. The 35th Foot, so called on account of the facings on their uniform.

Orangemen. The Protestants in the northern provinces of Ireland, so called on account of their adherence to William III., Prince of Orange, in opposition to the “Jacobites” or the adherents of the Stuart king, James II.

Orange Peel. One of the nicknames of Sir Robert Peel, owing to his strong anti-Catholic spirit. See “Orangemen.”

258Orange River. This, the largest river in South Africa, received its name from the colour of its waters when in flood.

Orange River Free State. This name was given by the “Boers” to what is now British territory in South Africa because its early settlers were also emigrants from the principality of Orange in Holland. Its new title is the Orange River Colony.

Orange Street. In compliment to William III., Prince of Orange.

Orator Henley. The sobriquet of John Henley, an English divine who in 1726 attracted large and fashionable congregations in a so-called “Oratory” or chapel in Newport Market.

Oratorio. A term derived from the fact that the first sacred musical dramas or cantatas were performed in the Church of the Oratorians, which religious Order was founded by St Philip Nero at Rome in 1540.

Orchard Street. Off Portman Square, after Orchard Portman, one of the country seats of the Portmans in Somersetshire. At Westminster, from the ancient orchard belonging to the Abbey.

Orchestra. A Greek term applied to the place in the theatre allotted to the chorus of the dancers. Among the moderns it expresses the place assigned to the instrumentalists.

Orchid. From the Greek orchis, a testicle, which the root of this plant resembles.

Oregon. From the Spanish Oregano, “wild majorum,” which grows abundantly in this state.

Orellana. The original name of the “Amazon” River, after its navigator.

Oriel College. This college at Oxford was built in 1326 by Adam de Brome, the Almoner of Edward II., and called by him St Mary’s College. A few years later Edward III. added to its revenues a rich messuage hard 259by known as “Le Oriel,” from which circumstance the foundation received the name which it now bears.

Orinoco. Indian for “coiling snake.”

Orion Horne. One of the sobriquets of Richard Horne, author of “Orion,” which acquired an exceptional notoriety on account of its being published at the low price of one farthing.

Orkney Isles. Under the name of Orcades these are mentioned by the ancient geographers. Orkney is Gaelic for “Isle of Whales.”

Orleans. A corruption of Aureliani, after the Roman Emperor Aurelian.

Orloff Diamond. This gem, weighing 194 carats, and purchased by Catherine II. of Russia in 1775, preserves the family name of that Empress.

Orme Square. After the name of a printseller of Bond Street who bought the land and built upon it.

Orrery. After the Earl of Orrery, who first caused one to be made.

Osnaburg Street. Named in compliment to Frederick, Duke of York and Albany, the last sovereign-bishop of Osnaburg in Hanover.

Ossulton Street. See “Lisson Grove.”

Ostend. Literally the east end of Flanders in Belgium.

Ostler. From the French hostelier, an innkeeper.

Oswestry. A corruption of Oswaldstry, the “place of Oswald,” where Oswald, King of Northumbria, was slain in 642. Evidence of this is afforded by the original name of Oswald’s Well, which yields a spring of pure water.

Ottawa. Expresses the Indian for “traders.”

Ottoman Empire. That of the Turks, founded by Othman I. at the commencement of the fourteenth century.

Ouida. The pseudonym of Louise de la Ramée. This was suggested to her at the very commencement of her literary career by the infantile perversion of Louise into “Ouida.”

260Ouse. From the Celtic uisg, water.

Out of Collar. Out of harness and the working habit. A horse has the collar slipped over its neck when put to work.

Out of Sorts. A technical phrase in the printing trade. “Sorts” are the different sizes and kinds of type used by a compositor. At times he runs short of “sorts,” so that the composition of the particular work in hand has to be suspended until the required sorts are obtained, either by distributing old matter put up in paper or sending to the typefounder’s for a new supply. Hence a person indisposed for work confesses to being “out of sorts.”

Ovidius Naso. See “Naso.”

Oxford. Cited in Domesday Book as Oxeneford. Literally a ford for the passage of oxen across the River Isis.

Oxford Blues. The Royal Horse Guards, from their dark blue uniforms and the circumstance that this regiment of horse was first raised by Aubrey, Earl of Oxford, soon after the Restoration.

Oxford Movement. The great Catholic revival in England, which, midway in the last century, resulted in the passing over of many of the most eminent Oxford scholars to the Church of Rome.

Oxford Street. After Edward Harley, Earl of Oxford and Mortimer, landlord of the estate north of this principal thoroughfare.

Oyez, Oyez. The old French ceremonial exclamation (“Hear ye, hear ye!”) to enjoin silence. This obtained in our own country when French was the language of the Court. In modern times it has been corrupted by Court criers and town bellmen into “O yes, O yes.”

Oyster Part. In theatrical parlance a part which contains only one line or speech; like an oyster, the actor opens his mouth but once.

261

P

Pacha. See “Pasha.”

Pacific Ocean. So called by Magellan, who, after a tempestuous passage through the straits which bear his name, enjoyed a cruise of three months and twenty-one days across this ocean in continuous fine weather, and with the advantage of favourable winds.

Pack Horse. An inn sign denoting that the establishment provided accommodation for “Packmen,” and also that pack horses were let out on hire.

Packmen. The old name for commercial travellers, whose goods or samples were carried in packs or sacks fastened to the saddle of a pack horse.

Paddington. The ancient description of this parish was “Padynton,” the settlement of the Pædings. Another branch of the same family gave its name to “Padendene”--i.e. the wooded valley of the Pædings in Surrey.

Paddington Street. Originally a narrow lane leading northward on to the common known as Paddington Fields.

Paddle your own Canoe. Originally a Western phrase for self-reliance. A canoe is an Indian boat affording room for one person. If he cannot paddle it himself no one else is in a position to help him. The expression became extremely popular in England through a song of this title thirty years ago.

Paddy. The common name for an Irishman, being short for “Pat,” after St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.

Pagan. This term had at first not the slightest connection with religion. Derived from the Latin pagus, the country, a paganus denoted a peasant or villager. Removed from the refinement of the cities such a one had, of course, very little acquaintance with the complicated system of Roman mythology. On this account 262only could it be said that those who remained unconverted to Christianity were Pagans.

Page Green. See “Seven Sisters’ Road.”

Painted Hall. The picture gallery of Greenwich Hospital received this name on account of its superbly painted ceiling.

Painter. The rope by which the “Jolly Boat” or any other is attached to a vessel, so called from the Latin panther, through the French pantier, a drag net.

Paint the Town. An Americanism for a night’s drunken frolic; the allusion is to a drunkard’s red nose.

Palace Car. An Americanism for a “Pullman” or Saloon car.

Palaver. From the Portuguese palavra, “a talk.”

Pale Faces. The name popularly bestowed upon the whites by the North American Indians.

Palestine. From the Hebrew Palæstina, “the land of strangers.” This was the ancient Philistia, the country of the Philistines, a term derived like that of Palestine from the root phalash, to emigrate or wander.

Pall Mall. From a species of croquet, called Paille Maille, introduced by Charles II. after his involuntary exile in France, and played by him and his courtiers here when the thoroughfare was open to St James’s Park.

Palmer. The name bestowed upon a “Pilgrim” returning from the Holy Land who carried a palm branch, usually affixed to his head-gear, as a proof that he had actually accomplished his self-imposed task. On arriving at the place whence he had set out he repaired to the church or chapel, and offered the palm to the parish priest, who laid it on the altar on his behalf.

Palmetto City. Augusta, the capital of the Palmetto State.

Palmetto State. South Carolina, from the palmetto-tree in her arms. During the Civil War the soldiers of this state bore the name of “Palmetto Boys.”

263Palm it off. A phrase derived from the usual procedure of a conjurer, who is an adept at concealing in the palm of his hand that which he pretends to have “passed” elsewhere.

Palm Oil. A bribe placed in the hand of a servant makes him the more willing to throw open the apartment of the great man to whom one wishes to gain access.

Palm Sunday. From the palms distributed to the congregation by the Catholic Church in commemoration of Christ’s entry into the city of Jerusalem, when the populace strewed palm branches and leaves in His path.

Palmy Days of the Drama. The days of our greatest exponents of the Drama, so called because, had such celebrated histriones as Garrick, Mrs Siddons, the Keans, and the Kembles lived in the time of the Romans, they would have been awarded a palm branch in recognition of their genius.

Palsgrave Place. In honour of Frederick, King of Bohemia, Palsgrave of the Rhine, married to the Princess Elizabeth, daughter of James I.

Pam. The popular name of Lord Palmerston.

Pamphlet. After Pamphilia, a Greek lady who kept a commonplace book for the collection of anecdotes and literary memoranda.

Panama. Expresses the Carribean for “mud fish,” with which the shores of this isthmus abound.

Panama Hat. A corruption of “Palmata Hat,” from the primitive head covering in equatorial South America made out of the large leaf of the Cardulavia palmata tree.

Pancake Tuesday. From the pancakes eaten on this day. The custom arose in Catholic days with a view to using up the eggs and lard that were interdicted during Lent; also because pancakes were an excellent stay to the appetite while the faithful had to wait long hours in church to be shrived by the priest in the confessional.

264Pancras Road. From Old St Pancras parish church. New St Pancras church is situated in the Euston Road.

Panel Den. An Americanism for a brothel, in which the rooms are panelled off into small compartments.

Pan-Handle State. West Virginia, on account of its shape, rising up like a wedge between Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Panorama. Expresses the Greek for “a view of the whole,” as would be obtained from a monument or a natural eminence. This is the correct description of a picture exhibited in a circular building, where the spectators are placed in the centre; not at all of an old form of picture entertainment at one end of a hall, which approximates to a Diorama, because conformably to di, through, it is viewed through the darkness.

Pantaloon. One of the characters of the Italian comedy or “Pantomime,” so called because he was typical of the Venetians, wearing, like them, originally a close-fitting garment made all in one piece, known as a pantaleone. The Venetians were nicknamed Pantaleone (“all lion”) from their common patron, St Mark, whose symbol was a lion; hence the application of the term pantaloons to tight-fitting knickerbockers or trousers.

Pantaloonery. An Americanism for trouser material. See “Pantaloon.”

Pantechnicon. A Greek word compounded out of pan, all, and techne, art. The large vehicle of this name was first used exclusively for the conveyance of pictures and art treasures to exhibitions.

Pantheism. From the Greek pan, all, and theos, God; the religion which recognises the Spirit of God moving throughout all the processes, works, and glories of His creation. The single doctrine expressed by Pantheism is that “God is everything, and everything is God.”

Pantheon. The Roman temple erected in honour of the gods collectively, so called from the Greek pan, all, and theos, god.

265Pantomime. In the modern sense a pantomime is an entertainment in which current events or fashionable foibles are introduced by way of burlesque. Formerly it denoted a performance of Italian comedy in which the action took place in dumb show, so called from the Greek pantomimos, an imitator of all or everything. The Roman mimes or mimi were not theatrical performers, but mutes at funerals, whose function it was to imitate the characteristic actions of the deceased--e.g. the virtue of generosity.

Panton Street. After a noted gamester, Colonel Thomas Panton, whose daughter became connected by marriage with the family of the ground landlord, Lord Arundel of Wardour.

Pants. Short for “pantaloons,” an Americanism for trousers. See “Pantaloon.”

Panyer Alley. This was an alley behind an ancient church facing Cheapside, where the bakers stood with their bread paniers. The word “panier” is French for a bread basket.

Pan’s Pipes. The primitive reed instrument named after Pan, the god of shepherds.

Pansy. From the French “penseé,” which in the Language of Flowers means “thoughts.”

Papa. See “Pope.”

Papal Bull. So called on account of the bulla, a seal embellished with the symbol of St Peter.

Paper. From the Greek papyros, the Egyptian plant out of the reeds of which the earliest writing material was made.

Paper King. John Law, the projector of the Mississippi Scheme, whose prospectus promised fortunes that were never realised by the luckless speculators.

Papua. Expresses the Portuguese for “frizzled.” This name was bestowed upon the natives of New Guinea on account of their enormous heads of frizzled hair.

Parachute. From the Greek para, “beyond,” and the French chute, “a fall.”

266Paraquay. Expresses the Brazilian for the country of the Para, or “great river.”

Parasol. This term is now obsolete, having been superseded by “Sunshade.” Derived through the Italian parasole, from the Greek para, beyond, and sol, the sun, its meaning was synonymous with that of its modern substitute.

Parchment. From the Greek pergamenos, through the French parchemin, so called after Pergamos, the city of Asia Minor where, consequent upon Ptolemy’s prohibition of the exportation of the Egyptian papyrus, dried goatskins were first utilised for a writing material.

Paris. Called by the Romans Lutetia Parisiorum, a name signifying the collection of mud huts inhabited by the Parisii, a Gallic tribe conquered by them.

Paris Garden. A notorious bear-baiting establishment in South London for several centuries, so called after Robert de Paris in the reign of Richard I. The entrance thereto is fixed by what bears the name of Bear Garden at the corner of Sumner Street, Borough.

Park Lane. Originally a narrow lane skirting the east side of Hyde Park; it is now one of the most fashionable streets in the West End of London.

Park Street. Leads westward from Camden Town to Regent’s Park.

Parker Street. In honour of Archbishop Parker, who founded two fellowships and five scholarships at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, in addition to presenting it with a valuable library of ancient manuscripts. This street was at one time called Bennet Street, after the original name of the college, from the adjacent church of St Benedict.

Parliament. From the French parlerment, founded on the Latin verb parler, to speak. See “Parlour.”

Parliamentarians. The forces under the Parliament of 267the Commonwealth under Cromwell during the Civil War with Charles I. and the Royalists.

Parliamentary Whip. One whose duty it is to hunt up Members of the House of Commons when questions of grave import are being put to the vote.

Parliament of Dunces. That convened at Coventry by Henry IV. in 1404 because it did not number among its members a single lawyer. Sir Edward Coke styled this the “Unlearned” and also the “Lawless Parliament.”

Parlour. Originally the apartment reserved for visitors where conversation could be indulged undisturbed. See “Parliament.”

Parnellites. The Home Rule party in Ireland during the lifetime of their political leader, Charles Stewart Parnell.

Parry Islands. Discovered by Rear-Admiral Sir William Parry in the course of his search for the North-West Passage.

Parsees. The modern designation of the Zoroastrians or Fire Worshippers in Persia and India. The Parsees were the original inhabitants of Persia, a wild Ayrian family called the Parsa, meaning “The Tigers.” By the Greeks the territory they overran was styled Perseus, on account of their chief stronghold, Persipolis, “the city of the Parsa,” the ruins of which may yet be seen. The modern Parsees are therefore descendants of those who refused to embrace Mohammedanism.

Parsons Green. Prior to the year 1740 the parsonage of Fulham Parish Church stood facing this green. On its roof was a cross which bore the name of “Parson’s Cross,” afterwards corrupted into “Percy Cross.”

Partridge Day. The first of September, when partridge shooting commences.

Pasha. A Western corruption of the Turkish “Pashaw,” from the Persian bâshâ, a governor or ruler of a province under the Shah or King.

268Passenger Pigeon. So called on account of its migratory habits. This species is found chiefly in America.

Passing Bell. That rung at the parish church to announce publicly that the soul of a parishioner has just passed away.

Passion Flower. The traditional reverence for this favourite flower is due to a fancied resemblance of its tints and various parts to the instruments of Christ’s Passion; also because it remains open for three days, corresponding to the period between the Last Supper and the Resurrection.

Passionists. A missionary Order founded by St Francis de Paulo, otherwise “St Paul of the Cross,” for the preaching of “Christ’s Passion and Him Crucified.”

Passion Play. An alfresco sacred drama based upon the incidents of Christ’s Passion and Death; that performed every tenth year at Oberammergau is world famous.

Passion Sunday. Although this should properly be the first day of what is called Passion Week, Palm Sunday is in a sense a feast day, in allusion to the triumphant entry of Christ into Jerusalem. The Sunday previous is therefore set apart for a general commemoration of the Passion--all crosses, statues, and paintings in the churches being draped in purple, with a view to concentrating the attention of the worshippers on the sufferings of the Redeemer.

Passion Week. The week in which Good Friday occurs, in commemoration of Christ’s Passion.

Passive Resister. One who in our own day passively resists the imposition of the Education Rate by allowing his goods to be seized or going to prison instead of resorting to active measures of violence.

Passover. The great Jewish festival commemorative of the Destroying Angel having passed over or spared the houses of the Israelites whose doorposts were sprinkled with the blood of the lamb slain overnight 269by Divine command. The Hebrew term for this festival is Pesach, whence “Pasch” has been derived.

Pastoral Letter. One addressed by a bishop to his flock. As his title implies, he is an overseer, and his crook is symbolical of a shepherd.

Pat. See “Paddy.”

Patagonia. This name, from the Spanish patagon, a large, clumsy foot, was given by Magellan to the country because, seeing the impressions of the great shoes worn by the natives, he imagined them to be giants.

Paternoster Row. Two reasons are assigned for this designation. The Row was the locale of the makers of “Pater Nosters,” or rosary beads, so called from the name of the first large bead, and the sellers of religious texts and prayer-books. Also because on great festival days the monks went in solemn procession to St Paul’s, the recital of the Pater Noster being commenced at the eastern corner of the lane, outside the churchyard, and concluded at the western extremity, where the Ave Maria was then taken up. See “Amen Corner.”

Pathfinder. The surname of General John Charles Fremont, the leader of four exploring expeditions across the Rocky Mountains.

Patricians. See “Plebeians.”

Paul’s Chain. This lane, on the south side of the Paul’s Churchyard, formerly had a chain drawn across it during divine service; hence its name.

Paul Veronese. The better-known name of the celebrated Italian painter Paulo Cagliari, who was born at Verona.

Pawn. In relation to the game of chess. The ordinary piece or “man” bears this name from the French peon, a walker or foot soldier, the superior pieces being kings, queens, knights, castles, and bishops. An article left in the charge of a pawnbroker is called a pawn, from the French pan, a pledge.

270Pawnbroker. See “Pawn” and “Broker.”

Peabody Buildings. After George Peabody, the American philanthropist, who left a huge fortune in trust for the building of “model dwellings” for the poorer classes. His statue, at the back of the Royal Exchange, was unveiled 23rd July 1869.

Peach. A schoolboy term for to inform against another. In allusion to the fruit of this name, it means to turn soft-hearted, and betray. In American the word is used to denote a pretty woman or anything soft and beautiful.

Peacock. An inn sign dating from the Crusades, when, the flesh of the peacock being deemed incorruptible, this bird was adopted by many a knight as a crest, typical of the Resurrection. “By the peacock” was a common oath in those days.

Pearl Bible. So called from the name of the printing type employed in its composition.

Peckham. A corruption of Beckham, a home or settlement among the becks or brooks.

Peckham Rye. In its application to common, the word “Rye” comes from the Anglo-Saxon ree, a watercourse.

Peculiar People. Originally those who believed that disease was the direct consequence of sin, and that by prayer alone could it be removed. See “Faith Healers.”

Pedlar. An itinerant trader, so called in conformity with the Latin pedes, the feet.

Pedro the Cruel. The surname of the King of Castile and Leon, who, midway in the fourteenth century, murdered his two brothers and poisoned his queen. How he meted out punishment to those outside his own family may be guessed.

Peeler. The old name for a policeman, after Sir Robert Peel, to whom the introduction of the modern system of Watch and Ward was due.

271Peep O’Day Boys. Irish insurrectionists who broke into the houses of the people at peep of day in search of arms. They were not averse to carrying off other plunder at the same time.

Peewit. This bird is so called from its characteristic notes.

Peg Away. Originally a camping phrase. When a tent is being put up it is necessary to secure its ropes to the ground on all sides before the work can be left, lest the whole structure, caught by the wind, should be blown down.

Pekin. Chinese for “northern capital.”

Pelican State. Louisiana, from the pelican in her arms.

Pembroke. Called by the Welsh “Penbroshire,” signifying the pen or head of the bro or country; literally the Land’s End.

Pembroke College. Founded at Cambridge in 1348 by the widow of Aylmar de Valence, Earl of Pembroke.

Peninsula State. Florida.

Penitentiary. The modern name for a “Magdalen Hospital,” designed as a home or refuge for fallen women who are penitent. This term was adopted also by the Quakers of Philadelphia in 1786 for a prison.

Penknife. A small pocket-knife intended primarily for cutting quill pens. Though quills are no longer in fashion, save among lawyers and bankers, and the penknife is serviceable only for trimming one’s finger nails, its original name survives.

Pennsylvania. From the Latin sylva, a wood; expresses the colony in the wood founded by William Penn.

Penny. From the Danish pennig and German pfennig, a copper coin of full value. This was originally nicked across to admit of being broken into halves and quarters.

Penny Blood. The modern substitute for the “Penny Dreadful.” The term “Blood” is short for a blood-curdling relation.

272Penny Gaff. The term applied to a low-class theatre, in allusion to the first Drury Lane Theatre, built on the site of a famous cockpit. Gaff was but another name for a cockpit, expressing as it did in various languages the iron hook, fork, or spur with which the cocks were goaded when they showed a reluctance to fight.

Penny Wedding. One to which all the villagers are invited, each contributing his or her quota to the expenses of the feast amounting to less than a shilling, while children uniformly bring a penny.

Pennyweight. Anciently, before standard weights came into use, the weight of a Norman silver penny.

Penrith. A corruption of “Perith,” from Perith Hill, at the foot of which the town is situated. The name is Celtic for “red hill,” in allusion to the red stone quarried on the spot.

Pensioner Parliament. That of Charles II., which, though it lasted sixteen years and a half, was more remarkable for the bestowal of pensions upon the adherents of the King than for the framing of new laws.

Pentateuch. A Greek word compounded out of penta, five, and teuchos, an implement, tool. This name was given to the first five books collectively of the Old Testament, its second portion being applicable in the sense of an instrument of direct communication between God and His people.

Pentecost. From the Greek pentekoste, the fiftieth day; relative to the gift of the Law to the Israelites fifty days after their deliverance out of the Land of Bondage. This great festival, corresponding to the Whitsuntide of the Christians, is celebrated by the Jews on the fiftieth day after the “Passover.”

Penton Street. See “Pentonville.”

Pentonville. Prior to 1773 the whole of this neighbourhood north of the New Road was open fields. It was then acquired for building purposes by Henry Penton, M.P., one of the Lords of the Admiralty, and received its 273name from “Penton Villa,” his residence, on the site of what is now Penton Street.

Penzance. Expresses the Celtic for “Saint’s Headland,” in allusion to St Michael’s Mount.

People’s Friend. The surname of Dr William Gordon of Hull, merited by his kindly disposition and unfailing generosity. When he died in 1849 the whole town followed his body to the grave, and the name by which he had always been known was subsequently chiselled on his tombstone.

Percy Cross. See “Parsons Green.”

Pere La Chaise. This, the principal cemetery of Paris, originally constituted the land attached to a beautiful mansion built by a grocer named Regnault. After his death the property passed into the hands of a lady, who made it over to the Jesuits of the Rue St Antoine. Thenceforth the Maison Regnault became the recognised seat of the Jesuits. In 1705 Pere La Chaise, the confessor of Louis XIV., was made Superior to the Order, and by the King’s desire the house received his name. The eventual suppression of the Order caused the property to be sold and the land converted into a cemetery.

Perfectionists. An American sect of religionists who, relying on the gift of the Spirit, dispense with civil laws so far as their own community is concerned.

Peripatetics. The school of philosophy founded by Aristotle, who taught his disciples in the colonnade or covered walk (styled the peripatos, from peripatem, to walk) in the garden of Lyceus at Athens.

Pernambuco. Expresses the Spanish for “the mouth of hell,” so called on account of the violent surf, which is such an impediment to the safe navigation of the mouth of its chief river, the San Francisco.

Persia. The country of the Parsa. See “Parsees.”

Peru. From its principal waterway, the Rio Paro, on the banks of which the ancient city of Paruru is situated. 274All these names are modifications of the native Para, water or river.

Perugino. See “Il Perugino.”

Peter. A word employed in America for running up the prices at an auction. It is derived from the Dutch pethur, to run, to hurry. The common name for a confederate of the auctioneer at a mock auction is a “Peter Funk,” that of the fictitious person to whom the goods are knocked down.

Peter Boat. One built alike at both ends, so that it can be run out quickly. See “Peter.”

Peterborough. From the great Benedictine monastery built and dedicated to St Peter by Oswy, King of Northumbria, in the seventh century.

Peterhouse College. Founded at Cambridge in connection with a hospital dedicated to St Peter by Hugh de Balsham in 1280.

Peterloo Massacre. The name given to the dispersal of Lancashire operatives assembled to discuss Parliamentary reform in St Peter’s Field, Manchester, by an armed force, 10th July 1819. In this melee many were wounded and several killed. The term was a fanciful one, suggested by the battle of Waterloo of five years previous to this event.

Peter’s Pence. An annual contribution throughout the Roman Catholic world for the upkeep of the vast establishment of the Vatican and the Papal Court. Since the loss of the Papal States in Italy this constitutes the sole revenue of the Pope. Anciently it was a tax of a silver penny in respect of every member of a household.

Petrel. See “Stormy Petrel.”

Petticoat. A smaller or shorter coat, which was the ancient description of a woman’s outer garment; derived from the Norman cotte.

Petticoat Lane. Another name for “Rag Fair,” the old 275clothes mart of the Jews in the East End. Its modern name is Middlesex Street.

Petty. Provincial for an out-house, because its accommodation is restricted to one person; also called a “Privy,” short for private.

Petty Sessions. A criminal court for the disposal of petty or lesser felonies, as distinguished from the usual “Quarter Sessions,” where all graver charges, short of those meriting capital punishment, are dealt with.

Phaeton. A name derived from the Phaeton of ancient mythology, who, having received permission to drive the sun car of Helios, his father, for a day, had the ill fortune to cause it to be overturned, and thereby almost set the world on fire.

Pharmacist. An Americanism for a chemist; derived, of course, from “Pharmaceutist,” one who keeps a pharmacy or drug store.

Pharisees. Those of the Jews who affected a greater degree of holiness than their neighbours, and were consequently regarded as a separate people. The word is from the Hebrew pharash, “separated.”

Philadelphia. Expresses the Greek for “city of brotherly love.” This name was happily chosen by William Penn for the capital of his Quaker colony in the New World.

Philippe Egalité. See “Egalité.”

Philippi. A ruined city of Macedonia, named after Philip II. of Macedon, who conquered it. It was to the Philippians, the people of this city, that St Paul addressed one of his Epistles.

Philippic. A powerful invective or denunciation. So called from a famous oration of Demosthenes against Philip of Macedon with a view of arousing the Athenians to repel his ambitious designs.

Philippine Islands. Discovered by Magellan in 1521, he named them in honour of Philip II. of Spain.

Philistines. The inhabitants of ancient Philistia, or 276“Palestine.” Because these were continually at war with the Jews, the term has been applied by university students to the citizens generally, and to the preservers of law and order more particularly. “A battle with the Philistines” is but another name for “a town row.” By the people of Norfolk too, policemen and bailiffs, likewise earwigs and such tiny tormentors, are called Philistines.

Philistinism. The name given to that cynicism which sneers at religion. This arose out of the scorn with which the Philistines of Palestine regarded the rites and ceremonies of the Israelites.

Phiz. Slang for the face; derived from “Physiogomy.”

Phœnicia. Called by the Greeks Phoinike, from phoinos, purple, which colour was discovered by the Tyrians and manufactured by them for the supply of all the then known Eastern nations.

Photograph. From the two Greek words photos, light, and graphein, to write. Accordingly a picture obtained by the action of light and transferred to paper chemically prepared.

Phyrric Dance. The famous war dance of the ancient Greeks, so called after Phyrrichos, a flautist of great skill and renown.

Pianoforte. A modern development of the old harpsichord and clavichord, so called because it was the first musical instrument which, by means of pedals, admitted the alternations of piano, soft, and forte, loud.

Piccadilly. After “Piccadilla Hall,” a once famous mart for the sale of “piccadilly lace,” having pica, or spearlike points. Of this pica, the word piccadilly expressed the diminutive. So fashionable was this lace during the time of Elizabeth that when in the succeeding reign of James I. the high ruff came into vogue, it bore the name of a piccadilly, though shorn of its lace edging. “Piccadilla Hall” must have stood somewhere 277about the modern circus of the same name, since there were no houses further afield.

Pickaninny. From the Spanish peguenopegueno nino, a little child.

Pick-me-up. A stimulating beverage or a medicinal tonic as a remedy for languor or lowness of spirits.

Pick up. An Americanism for a cold dinner composed of the fragments of the previous day’s joint. Sometimes such a one is called a “Pick-up Dinner.”

Picts. The Lowlanders of Scotland, called by the Romans picti, or painted men, because, they stained their skins with woad.

Pie Corner. It has been considered curious that the Great Fire of London should have broken out in “Pudding Lane” and ended at Pie Corner. Scarcely less curious was it that this Pie Corner was an eating-house. Its sign was “The Pie,” a corruption of “Magpie.”

Piedmont. Expresses the French for “mountain foot.”

Pierrot. French for “Little Peter.”

Pig and Whistle. A tavern sign corrupted from “Piggen Wassail.” Piggen expressed the Anglo-Saxon for a milking pail, of which pig was the diminutive. When a large party frequented the alehouse the liquor was set before them in a piggen, each helping himself from it with his pig, or mug. “Wassail” was, of course, the Anglo-Saxon Was hæl (“Be in health”). See “Hail.”

Pigeon English. That employed by the Chinese in their commercial relations with Europeans. The word pigeon is a native corruption of “business,” which it seems impossible for a Chinaman to pronounce correctly. Their business English is therefore a jargon of many languages heard by him in the “Open Ports.”

Pig in a Poke. See “Buy a Pig in a Poke” and “Let the Cat out of the Bag.”

Piggott Diamond. One of the smaller diamonds of 278celebrity, weighing 82¼ carats. This was brought to England from India by Lord Piggott in 1818, when it passed into the hands of Messrs Rundell & Bridge.

Pigtails. The European nickname for the Chinese on account of their shaven heads and braided pigtails.

Pikes. The name given in California to the poor southern whites, most of whom came from Pike County, Missouri. See “Pukes.”

Pilgrim. From the Italian pellegrino, “a visitor to foreign lands.” Since the days of Peter the Hermit and the Crusades this term has been confined to one who travels on foot to worship at a holy shrine, whether he be a Christian, Mohammedan, or Buddhist. See “Palmer.”

Pillow Lace. So called because produced by twisted threads around rows of pins arranged on a cushion or pillow.

Pilot Jack. The name given to the “Union Jack” when flown from the mast-head in the merchant service as a signal for a pilot.

Pimlico. This was originally a district of tea gardens for holiday folk, with a specialité for nut-brown ales. It received its name from Ben Pimlico, the owner of a noted resort in Hoxton on the site of what is now the Britannia Theatre. The nut-brown ale was first popularised by this worthy, who could not have regarded the application of his name to ales purveyed elsewhere with much favour. From “Pimlico Ales,” the neighbourhood itself soon came to be known as Pimlico.

Pimlico Walk. It is hard to believe that this was once a regular holiday promenade for the citizens of London. On Sundays and on week-day evenings it was thronged, skirting as it did the famous tea gardens of Ben Pimlico, in whose retired arbours courting couples softly murmured “sweet nothings.” This resort was to Londoners of a bygone day what Rosherville is in our 279own time. From a tea garden it developed into what was styled a “saloon,” and eventually into a regular theatre.

Pinafore. Literally an apron pinned on the bosom and at the hips of the wearer. The modern example of a pinafore with armholes is pinned or buttoned behind.

Pinchbeck. A mixture of copper, zinc, and tin, out of which metal watch cases and cheap jewellery were formerly made. So called after its inventor, Christopher Pinchbeck of Fleet Street.

Pindaric Verse. A style of verse, irregular in regard to metre, imitative of the Odes of Pindar, the Roman poet.

Pine-tree State. Maine, from the pine-tree distinguished in her arms, symbolical of her glorious forests.

Pin Money. The allowance made by a husband to his wife in order to purchase pins for the current year. Such articles were at one time neither abundant nor cheap.

Pin your Faith on it. An expression derived from the days of feudalism, when all the dependents of a baron or feudal lord displayed his badge pinned on the sleeve. Sometimes while on a predatory expedition of their own these vassals exchanged the badge for another to prevent recognition. This gave rise to the saying: “You may wear the badge, but I cannot pin my faith on your sleeve. I require some further evidence whence you came.”

Pipeclay. The fine white clay out of which clay pipes are made.

Pistol. From Pistoja in Italy, where this kind of small firearm was first introduced in 1545.

Pit. The floor of a theatre bears this name because the original Drury Lane Theatre was built by Killigrew on the site of the famous cockpit in Drury Lane.

Pitcairn Island. Discovered by Captain Cartaret in 1767, and named by him after one of his officers.

280Pitchfork. A fork for pitching hay; also one for determining the correct pitch of a musical note.

Pitt Diamond. After Thomas Pitt, grandfather of the first Lord Chatham, who, while Governor of Fort St George in India, purchased it for £24,000. On coming to England he sold this gem, weighing 136¾ carats in its cut state, to the Duke of Orleans, Regent of France, for £130,000, on which account it bears the name also of the “Regent Diamond.” It decorated the sword hilt of Napoleon I., and after the battle of Waterloo passed into the hands of the Prussians.

Pittsburg. This city was built on the site of the French Fort Duquesne. When, after a sanguinary engagement, it was taken from the allied French and Indians in 1758 by General Forbes, he gave it the name of Fort Pitt, after the English statesman, William Pitt, Earl of Chatham.

Pius X. The Vatican Journal Voce Della Verita recently gave an authorised explanation as to why the present Pope chose to be styled “Pius the Tenth.” It said: “The Holy Father preferred a name that would emphasise the undying struggle of the Holy See against the Revolution. From the very beginning Pius has been the name of predilection assumed by our most illustrious Pontiffs. His present Holiness, whose Pontificate opens under a hostile Government, and at a time when both Pope and State are the victims of imperious revolution, was determined to adopt the title of ‘Pius the Tenth.’”

Plain. The name given to the Girondist party on the floor of the French House of Assembly during the Revolution, as opposed to the “Mountain” party.

Plantagenet. The family name of the House of Anjou, which succeeded to the throne of England at the extinction of the Norman dynasty. It was assumed by Fulke Martel, the first of this line, as a perpetual reminder of the incident of having allowed himself to be scourged by two attendants with branches of the genista, or broom plant, while on a pilgrimage to the 281Holy Sepulchre, as an atonement for his murder of the Earl of Brittany.

Platonic Affection. The kind of mutual esteem between persons of opposite sexes free from carnal desires or love in an earthly sense, as advocated by Plato and his school of philosophers.

Platonists. The disciples of Plato. See “Academy.”

Play Fast and Loose. An expression derived from a very old cheating game called “Pricking the Belt,” which in the modified form of “Prick the Garter,” may yet be met with at fairs and race meetings. The victim was invited to stick a skewer through a folded belt so as to pin it to the table; whereupon the other, taking the two ends, proved that the belt had not been made fast at all; hence to “play fast and loose with a man.”

Playhouse Yard. Marks the site of the “Fortune Theatre,” the second regular playhouse opened in the city of London.

Please the Pigs. A corruption of “Please the Pixies,” or woodland fairies, still common in many rural districts.

Plebeians. The ordinary citizens among the Romans, so called from plebs, the people, as distinguished from the “Patricians,” or fathers of the State.

Plough Monday. The first Monday after the Epiphany, when, the Christmas festivities having come to an end, farm labourers were supposed to return to the plough. Instead of which they dragged a plough round the parish, begging for “plough money” from door to door, and spent the evening at the alehouse.

Plume and Feathers. An inn sign, corrupted from “The Plume of Feathers,” in allusion to the plume of ostrich feathers adopted as his crest by Edward the Black Prince. See “Ich Dien.”

Plunger. A gambler who plunges into bets without considering the risks he incurs. Recklessness is his characteristic. To retrieve his losses he plays for 282high stakes, which make or break him in a very short time.

Plymouth. The seaport town at the mouth of the Plym.

Plymouth Brethren. A sect which sprang into existence at Plymouth in 1830. It has extended far and wide, both on the Continent of Europe and in America. Its chief tenet is the utter rejection of priestly or ministerial organisation.

Pocket Borough. An old Parliamentary term for a borough in which the votes at an election could generally be commanded by one influential person.

Poet Laureate. The officially appointed poet of any nation, so called from the Roman custom of crowning a favourite poet with laurel, symbolical of Apollo, the god of poetry.

Pogrom. Expresses the Slavonic for “devastation” or “desolation.” The word is allied to grom, thunder, thunder clash, and gromit, to thunder, batter down, as with a thunderbolt; utterly overthrow, destroy without mercy.

Pointer. This dog is so called on account of its remarkable instinct for pointing out or indicating to sportsmen the presence of game.

Point Lace. So called because it is worked with the point of a needle.

Poke Bonnet. One which poked out beyond the face on all sides. See “Kiss-me-Quick.”

Poland. From the Slavonic poln, “a country of plains.” Its original settlers were a tribe called the Polnali, “men of the plains.” When this country was an independent kingdom it bore the name of “Polska,” and its people “Polacks.” Shakespeare mentions “the sledded Polacks on the ice” in Hamlet Act i. sc. i.

Poland Street. From the Polish refugees who congregated in it soon after this street was built.

283Police. The appropriate designation of civil guardians of the peace, from the Greek polis, city.

Polka. Originally a Bohemian dance, so called from the native word pulka, a half, on account of the half step peculiar to it.

Polynesia. Greek for “many islands.”

Polytechnic. An institute or academy of the Arts, so called from the Greek polys, many, and techne, art.

Pompeii. So called by the Romans in honour of Pompeius Magnus, or Pompey the Great.

Pomeranian. A valuable breed of dog from Pomerania in Prussia.

Pomeroy. From pomme roi; expresses the French for “King’s Apple.”

Pommery. After Madame Pommery, mother of the Duchess de Polignac, and owner of the estate near Rheims where this fine brand of champagne is produced.

Pompadour. Both the puce colour and the dress material of this name were first popularised by Madame le Pompadour, the mistress of Louis XV.

Pompadours. The nickname of the 56th Foot on account of their claret or Pompadour facings.

Pontac. From the town of the same name in the south of France.

Pontefract. Literally “broken bridge.” The popular corruption of this name is “Pomfret.”

Pontiff. The Pope of Rome bears this name conformably to the Latin pons, bridge, and facere, to make, because the earliest bridge over the Tiber was constructed at the sole cost of the High Priest of the Romans.

Pontius Pilate’s Bodyguard. The first regiment of Foot, the oldest in the service.

Poole. From the pool or inlet of the sea on which this Dorsetshire port is situated.

284Pope. From the Greek papas, and Latin papa, father.

Poplar. From the poplar-trees formerly abounding in this district.

Poppin’s Court. A corruption of “Poppingay Court”; originally, in the reign of Elizabeth, “Poppingay Alley,” so called because it marked the site of an ancient inn or mansion owned by the Abbots of Cirencester, and displaying the sign of “the Poppinjaye” or parrot.

Pop the Question. A corruption of “Propose the question of marriage.”

Porkopolis. The nickname of Chicago and Cincinnati, both world-renowned cities in relation to the pork-packing industry.

Port. The native wine of Portugal, shipped from Oporto.

Porte. The official designation of the Government of Turkey, because anciently justice was administered at the porta, or gate, of the Sultan’s palace.

Porter. Another name for “Entire,” which was first retailed at “The Blue Last” in Curtain Road, Finsbury. Finding that it was in great request by the porters who frequented that house of call, the publican dropped the name of “Entire” and called it “Porter.”

Portland Place. After William Bentinck, second Duke of Portland, the owner of the estate.

Portman Square. After Edward Berkeley Portman, Viscount Portman of Bryanstone, Dorsetshire, the great ground landlord.

Portmanteau. From the French porter, to carry, and manteau, a cloak; literally a receptacle for a cloak on a journey.

Porto Rico. Express the Spanish for “rich port.”

Portsmouth. The seaport town built at the mouth of the harbour.

Portsoken Ward. One of the wards of the city of London, 285so called because anciently the thirteen knights styled the “English Knighten Guild,” claimed the soken, or franchise, at the porta, or gate, to their ward in return for services rendered to King Edgar by their ancestors.

Portugal. From the ancient name of the capital city, Portus Cale, “the gate of Gaul.”

Portugal Street. In compliment to Catherine of Braganza, queen of Charles II.

Portuguese Hymn. The “Adesta Fidelis,” so called from the erroneous assumption of the Duke of Leeds that it was part of the regular service in Catholic Portugal, since he first heard it sung in the private chapel of the Portuguese Ambassador in London.

Portway. The name given to that portion of a great Roman highway in this country wherever it was crossed by an arch or within sight of a walled city; from porta, gate.

Poser. A corruption of “Opposer”; derived from collegiate argumentative examinations.

Poses Plastiques. French for “statuesque attitudes.”

Poster. So called because auction, play, and other public announcementsannouncements were first exhibited on the posts separating the roadway from the side walk. Being stuck on these posts, the bills were said to be “posted.”

Post Paper. So called from the original watermark, a post horn, which it bore.

Pot Boilers. Specifically pictures painted by a poor artist for ready sale to a dealer in order to “Keep the pot boiling.” The term is also employed by authors and journalists in the same sense.

Pothooks. The nickname of the 77th Foot, owing to the fancied resemblance of these two figures to pothooks.

Pot Luck. Anything ready at hand for a meal. The allusion is to the primitive stock pot, into which meat and vegetables were thrown at any time for boiling up as required.

286Potomac. Indian for “place of the burning pine.”

Poultry. Where the scorchers and stuffers of poultry in connection with the old Stocks Market on the site of the Mansion House had their shops.

Pouter Pigeon. So called on account of its pouting or bulging breast.

Powis Place. Marks the site of the town house of William Herbert, Marquis of Powis, temp. Charles I.

Prairie State. Illinois, which for the most part consists of prairie lands.

Praise-God Barebone. A fanatical leader of the time of the Commonwealth, and a prominent member of the “Barebone Parliament,” who was addicted to praising God and damning his neighbours. This kind of hypocrisy was characteristic of the Puritans.