Quack.The name borne by an itinerant trader, who makes a great noise in open market, quacking like a duck in his efforts to dispose of wares that are not genuine; hence anyone nowadays who follows a profession which he does not rightly understand. A “Quack Doctor” was formerly styled aQuack Salver, from the salves, lotions, and medicines he dispensed to the crowd at the street corners.
Quadragesima Sunday.The first Sunday of Lent, expressing in round numbers forty days before Easter.
Quadrant.The Piccadilly end of Regent Street, so called because it describes a quarter of a circle.
Quadrille.Expresses the French for “a little square,” in allusion to the positions taken up by the dancers.
Quadroon.A Mulatto being half-blooded, like a mule, the offspring of such a woman by a white man is black-blooded to the degree of one-fourth.
Quaker City.Philadelphia, the seat of the Quaker colony founded by William Penn.
Quaker Poet.The sobriquet of Bernard Barton.
Quakers.The origin of this designation of the “Society of Friends” is thus given by George Fox, the founder of the sect in hisJournal: “Justice Bennet of Derby was the first to call us ‘Quakers,’ because I bade him quake and tremble at the word of the Lord.” This occurred in 1650.
Quarantine.Agreeably to the Frenchquarantaine, the period of a ship’s detention outside a port in the circumstances of infectious disease should be forty days.
Quarter Sessions.See “Petty Sessions.”
Quarto.In the printing and stationery trades this term expresses a sheet of paper which, when folded into quarters, makes four leaves or eight pages.
Quassia.A tonic obtained from the bark of a tree of South America, the virtues of which were discovered by a Negro of this name.
Quatemala.When the Indians who accompanied Alvarado into this region discovered the ruins of an ancient palace of the kings beside an old worm-eaten tree they assumed this to be the centre of the country, and gave it the name ofQuahtemali, “a decayed log of wood.”
Quebec.Indian for “take care of the rock.”
Queen Anne’s Bounty.A perpetual fund raised by the augmentation of the tithes and first-fruits at the instance of Queen Anne for the benefit of the poor clergy whose incomes are insufficient for their proper maintenance.
Queen Anne’s Square.Like the gate and the street further west of the same name, this was built during the reign of Queen Anne.
Queen Charlotte Island.In honour of Queen Charlotte, the consort of George III.
Queen City of the Lakes.Buffalo, in the state of New York, situated at the junction of the Erie Canal with Lake Erie.
Queen City of the Mountains.Knoxville (Tennessee), admirably situated on the hills overlooking the Upper Tennessee River.
Queen City of the Plains.Regina, in the north-western territory.
Queen City of the West.Cincinnati (Ohio), so called in virtue of its fine situation, beautiful parks, and noble architectural features. Also styled “The Queen City” and “Queen of the West.”
Queen Elizabeth’s Walk.In compliment to Queen Elizabeth, who often visited the Earl of Leicester when he resided in this portion of Stoke Newington.
Queenhithe.So called because the tolls collected at thishithe, or wharf, were appropriated by Eleanor, Queen of Henry II., for her pin money.
Queen of Hearts.Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia, the daughter of James I., who by her amiable disposition endeared herself to all hearts.
Queen of Watering-places.Scarborough.
Queen’s College.At Oxford, founded by Robert de Eglesfield, the confessor of Philippa, queen of Edward III., in her honour. At Cambridge, founded by Margaret of Anjou, queen of Henry VI.
Queen’s Hall.Built on the site of the Langham Hall, and opened in 1893, this high-class concert hall was named after the late Queen Victoria.
Queen’s Head Street.From the ancient inn, “The Queen’s Head,” now modernised, at its juncture with Essex Road. Queen Elizabeth is said to have slept at this hostelry on several occasions.
Queensland.This portion of Australia received its name in honour of Queen Victoria, when in 1859 it became an independent colony.
Queen’s Square.After Queen Anne, in whose reign it was laid out.
Queen Street.In Cheapside, from a permanent wooden balcony situated between Bow Church and this corner for the accommodation of the reigning queen and her ladies when jousts and tournaments were held here. In Mayfair, after the queen of Charles II., in whose reign it was built.
Queen’s Tobacco Pipe.The name given to the furnace at the London Docks where contraband tobacco was formerly consumed. This custom obtained down to within the last few years of the reign of Queen Victoria.
Queenstown.Originally styled “The Cove of Cork,” this Irish seaport received its present name on the occasion of the visit of Queen Victoria in 1850.
Queen’s Weather.Throughout the long reign of the late Queen Victoria it was remarkable that, whenever she appeared abroad on the occasion of a public function, glorious weather favoured her invariably; hence the expression “Queen’s Weather” came to be applied to a fine day for a summer outing.
Queen Victoria Street.A modern thoroughfare, named after the late Queen Victoria.
Queue.Expresses the French for a tail, like that of a periwig or peruke. In the sense of a line of people waiting outside the doors of a theatre the term has latterly become popular on both sides of the English Channel.
Quick Lunch.An American stand-up luncheon served with expedition.
Quicksilver.Living or moving silver.Quickis old English for “living”; hence “The Quick and the Dead.”
Quidnunc.One who is always inquiring after news. “What news?” is the literal interpretation of the term. As a personal designation, it originated in the name of the chief character in Murphy’s farce, “The Upholsterer, or What News?” A kind of political Paul Pry.
Quid of Tobacco.A corruption of “Cud,” because it is used for chewing. The allusion is to the cud chewed by ruminating animals.
Quids.The slang term for cash, properly restricted to gold. A sovereign is called a “Quid” in allusion to the Latin phrase,Quid pro quo, something of equal value, which change for a sovereign truly is.
Quill-driver.The popular designation of a clerk. Quill pens having been supplanted by those of steel, it is scarcely appropriate in our time.
Quinquagesima Sunday.The name given in the Church calendar to the Sunday preceding Ash Wednesday or the commencement of Lent; approximately fifty days before Easter.
Quit Rent.A rental anciently paid by a tenant to a baron with a view of being relieved or quit of feudal service.
Quod.The slang term for prison; also “Quad.” See “In Quad.”
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Rabbi.The title of a Jewish expounder of the Law. The word is Greek for “My Master,” through the Hebrewrabi, from the rootrab, lord, chief.
Rack.From the Saxonwrocanand Germanrecken, to stretch. The word is therefore correctly applied to the instrument of torture of former days.
Rack Rent.A term expressing the actual full annual value of land as paid from the earliest times, not modified by circumstances. See “Rack.”
Radcliffe Library.Founded at Oxford by the celebrated physician, Dr John Radcliffe, in Radcliffe Square, also named after him.
Radicals.That advanced section of the Liberal party, whose set purpose it is to root out the evils, according to their view, of our constitutional system which are systematically maintained by the Conservatives. The term first came into notice in 1818, when a strenuous effort was made to institute a radical change in the Parliamentary representation of the country. This paved the way for the Reform Act of 1832.
Radnor.The modern form ofRhiadnwr-Gwy, signifying “The Cataract of the Wye.” This is in reference to the beautiful cascade, with a fall of seventy feet, called “The Water-break-its-Neck,” the great natural feature in the vicinity of the county town.
Rag.Theatrical slang for the curtain, having originally reference to the green baize. Also military slang for the national flag, and the members’ colloquial term for the Army and Navy Club.
Rag Fair.The name given to the old clothes mart in Petticoat Lane, now Middlesex Street, Aldgate, on Sunday mornings.
Ragged Regiment.Dilapidated waxen effigies of several English monarchs and persons of note that were borne through the streets at the obsequies of the subjects represented. They are located in Islip’s Chapel, Westminster Abbey.
Ragging.In military parlance this word expresses the system of persecution by which an unpopular man suffers indignities at the hands of his comrades. It has the same meaning as the North Country “Rag,” to enrage or make angry, and “Bullyrag,” to administer a severe scolding. The latter, however, of which the former is an abbreviation, has not been derived from the Dutchbulderen, to scold or bully, as is generally supposed, but from the custom of the Spanish bullfighters of waving a red cloak in front of the bull in order to excite him to fury. This is theragreferred to. The corresponding United States term for “ragging” is “Hazing.”
Rag Money.American slang for paper money.
Rag Time.An Americanism for a dancing frolic of the “go-as-you-please” order, in which musical time and rhythm are, as it were, torn into shreds; a ragged, loose, disconnected, unconventional time. The term has been well explained by an authoritative writer inThe Refereeas follows:--“Rag time is the outcome of ‘Rag Speech,’ a speech that casts tradition, balance, beauty, elegance, and refinement to the winds, and that believes that more effect can be made by punching certain syllables into the brain of the listener. Technically speaking, ‘Rag Time’ shifts the strong accent from the first to the second beat of the bar. Against this there is a cross-rhythm with a kind ofhalting contrapuntal ornamentation in the accompaniment, which sometimes brings a stress on to the fourth beat of the bar. The result of this irregularity and false quantity is to destroy the rhythm to an extent that often makes it difficult to say whether the music is in duple or triple measure. The musical consequence is the breaking down of symmetrical form, and the tendency is to reduce the organised structure to its component parts.”
Railroad City.Indianapolis, a junction of the great trunk lines.
Railway King.The sobriquet of George Hudson, Chairman of the Midland Railway Company, who amassed a huge fortune by successful speculations in the early days of railway enterprise.
Rains Cats and Dogs.This expression is traceable to two distinct sources--popular superstition and Scandinavian mythology. Witches who rode the storm on broomsticks were believed to have the power of transforming themselves into cats at will, while the dog or wolf is represented as the attendant of Odin, the Storm King of the northern nations.
Rainy Day Smith.John Thomas Smith, the antiquary, whose chatty volume, “A Book for a Rainy Day,” brought him more money and reputation than all his other works put together.
Raise your Screw.This expression arose out of the custom of masters paying their employées’ wages screwed up in a tiny paper of uniform size. The more money it contained the less tightly the paper could be screwed; hence an advance of wages implied metaphorically giving the screw one turn backwards.
Rake the Pot.An American gambling phrase meaning to seize the stakes.
Ram and Teazle.A tavern sign common to the woollen manufacturing districts, this being the device of the Clothworkers’ Company.
Ranch.From the Spanishrancho, a hut of posts, covered with branches or thatch, in which herdsman or farm labourers in the western states of North America lodge by night.
Rand.Expresses the Dutch, specifically in South Africa, for a mining district.
Ranelagh Gardens.This fashionable public resort, now built over, occupied the site of Ranelagh House and its grounds, owned by an Irish peer, whose title it bore.
Ranters.Another name for the “Primitive Methodists.”
Rape.The name given to a division under the Danes of the county of Sussex, from the Norserepp, a district.
Rapier.This species of sword being eminently adapted for rapid thrusting and withdrawing, its name, from the Latinrapere, to snatch away, is appropriate.
Rappahannock.Indian for “quick-rising waters.”
Rapparee.The name given to an Irish plunderer, because he was armed with arapera, or half pike.
Rascal.From the Frenchracaille, “the scum of the people.”
Ratcliff Highway.Originally a manor belonging to the parish of Stepney, this highway for sailors ashore, where they found lodgings and entertainment of a low class in days prior to the provision of “Seamen’s Homes,” received its name from the multitudes of water rats that congregated on the Thames wall by night. On account of the evil reputation which this neighbourhood bore in former days, its name was changed to “St George’s in the East.”
Rathbone Place.After Captain Rathbone, its builder, in 1718.
Rat Hole.A printers’ term for a non-society house. Since rats are known to desert a sinking ship, so a journeyman who refuses to take advantage of a trades union is stigmatised as a “Rat,” because he forsakesthe general cause of his craft. Hence also the term “Rattening,” by which is meant the taking away of or destroying a workman’s tools consequent upon his desertion of the union or accepting work in a house opposed to its principles.
Rationalism.The kind of religion (if it deserved such a name) set up during the French Revolution, when Reason took the place of Faith. The worship of the “Goddess of Reason,” in the person of an actress installed in the Cathedral of Notre Dame, was a fitting illustration of the unreasoning tenet that public worship was opposed to the natural instincts of mankind.
Rattening.See “Rat Hole.”
Ray Street.After the victim of an old-time Clerkenwell sensation, Miss Ray, who, on becoming the mistress of Lord Sandwich, was shot by her jilted lover, Hackman.
Ready.Short for ready money, cash always on hand, in readiness for emergencies.
Rechabites.The name borne by total abstainers in the United States, after the followers of Jonadab, the son of Rechab, who lived in tents and abstained from the use of wine.
Reckon without your Host.When putting up at an inn the cost is often greater than the traveller anticipates; therefore it is always wise to be well prepared with funds, lest, when the host presents his bill, discomfiture may arise.
Recluse.From the Latinreclusus, shut up; one who voluntarily cuts himself off from communion with his fellow-men, a solitary.
Rector.A clergyman who enjoys a living in his own right, as distinguished from a “Vicar,” who holds the appointment at the pleasure of the Lord of the Manor. The former also receives the tithes direct, whereas the latter passes them on to a layman, a college, ora chapter, by whom he is paid a proportion thereout as a stipend.
Red Cent.An Americanism for a copper coin.
Redcross Street.From the red stone cross anciently set up by the Knights Hospitallers to define the limits of the land belonging to them in the direction adjacent to that of the Knights Templars, indicated by a white cross of stone in what is now “Whitecross Street.”
Red Dragon.An inn sign, complimenting Henry VII., whose device it was.
Redemptorists.Also called “Redemptorist Fathers.” See “Liguorians.”
Red Eye.The Far West term for fiery new whisky, which is well calculated to make the eyes of the toper look red.
Red-hot Time.An Americanism for a jolly time, because the proceedings were conducted with the utmost warmth.
Red-Letter Day.A phrase used to express a pleasurable event in one’s past life. This had its origin in the old calendars and almanacks, in which high Church festivals were printed in red ink, and all the other days in black.
Red Lion Court.After an ancient tavern, “The Red Lion.”
Red Lion Square.After a famous old coaching-house, “The Red Lion.”
Red Republicans.The extreme Republican party of the French Revolution, which adopted the red cap, the Roman symbol of Liberty. The lower orders of the people, to whom the cap meant everything, were likewise only too ready to follow the behest of their leaders, and steep their hands in the blood of the aristocrats.
Red Skins.The name first given by the white settlers to the Indians of North America.
Red Rose.An inn sign, in compliment to the Lancastrians during the Wars of the Roses.
Red Sea.Three reasons are assigned for the name of this sea: the red sandstone which forms its bottom, the red rocks which in some parts border its shores, and the colouring imparted to its waters by coral reefs, animaculæ, and sea-weed.
Red Tape.That leisurely officialism which refers a matter from one department to another, until at length the highest authority is reached to take it in hand. The term has been derived from the red tape with which all legal and official documents are tied together.
Reel.A whirling dance by a single person, peculiar to the Scots, so called in allusion to the winding of cotton on a reel.
Reformed Presbytery.See “Macmillanites.”
Reform School.An Americanism for an institution for the reformation of juvenile offenders.
Refresher.The legal term for an extra fee paid to a barrister by a client while the latter’s case is pending, in order to refresh the former’s memory concerning the interests at stake.
Regent Diamond.See “Pitt Diamond.”
Regent’s Park.Part of the general scheme of John Nash, the royal architect, when he projected the building of Regent Street, was to provide a magnificent palace for his patron, the Prince Regent, in the park named after him. This was not realised, and the site of the intended palace was appropriated to the Zoological Gardens.
Regent Street.In honour of the Prince Regent, afterwards George IV.
Regiomontanus.The name assumed by Johann Müller, a celebrated German mathematician of the fifteenth century, being a Latinised rendering of “Konigsberg,” his native place.
Regius Professor.The professorial chair in various departments of learning at Oxford and Cambridge Universities founded by Henry VIII.
Regular Brick.See “He’s a Brick.”
Regular Clergy.Those who in the Catholic Church are attached to monasteries and friaries, living by rule; in contradistinction to the “Secular Clergy,” who are appointed to parochial work by a bishop, and move among the people.
Regular Zantippe.See “Zantippe.”
Rehan.See “Ada Rehan.”
Rendezvous.Literally an individual haunt or resort, and in no sense a place of public meeting. The word is French for “betake yourself.”
Republican Marriage.The name given by the Red Republicans during the French Revolution to their atrocious procedure, instigated by Jean Baptiste Carrier, of tying a young man and woman together and drowning them.
Resurrection Men.Body snatchers, who “resurrected,” as the Americans say, bodies from the graves in order to sell them to the medical faculty for dissection. Since the general institution of public hospitals, the last refuge of so many “unknowns,” whose dead bodies are never claimed, the demand for subjects snatched from the grave has entirely ceased.
Revolver.The modern type of pistol, in which the breach which contains the cartridges revolves. In the earlier stage of this invention it was the barrel that revolved.
Rheims.The capital of theRemi, a Gallic people referred to by Cæsar.
Rhine.From the Celticrhe, “rapid.” This name was given by the Swiss to rivers generally.
Rhinoceros.Greek for “nose-horned.”
Rhode Island.A corruption of “rood,” red, the name given to it by the Dutch settlers on account of its reddish appearance.
Rhodes.From the Greekrhodon, a rose; expresses “the isle of roses.”
Rhododendron.From the two Greek wordsrhodon, rose, anddendron, tree.
Rhody.The American designation of Rhode Island on account of its limited area; also called “Little Rhody.”
Rhone.Derived from the same root as “Rhine.”
Ribbonmen.The name borne by the members of a Catholic political association in Ireland early in the last century on account of the distinctive badge or ribbon worn in the button-hole. The Ribbonmen were violently opposed to the “Orangemen.”
Ribston Pippins.The name given to a fine species of Normandy apple grown at Ribstone, Yorkshire, from pips originally planted on his estate by Sir Henry Goodriche.
Richmond.When Edward I. built himself a sumptuous palace on the south bank of the Thames he gave it the name ofSheen, the Saxon for “resplendent.” This being consumed by fire in 1479, Henry VI., rebuilt it, and then called it Richmond, after the beautiful seat in Yorkshire whence he took the title of his earldom.Richmondsignifies a rich prospect from the hill occupied by its ancient castle.
Riding.A Danish division of the county of Yorkshire corresponding to the LincolnshireTrithing, of which it is a corruption, signifying a third part.
Riff-raff.Expresses the Anglo-Saxon, from the Danishrip-raps, for “sweepings”; hence the scum of society.
Right off the Reel.To do a thing without stopping until it is finished. The allusion is to unwinding the entire length of cotton off a reel or bobbin.
Right Foot Foremost.A phrase derived from the old Roman superstition that if a visitor crossed the threshold with the left foot foremost he would be certain to bring ill luck upon the household.
Rile.A provincial corruption of “Rail,” to anger or tease.
Ring.A professional term for a charmed circle--e.g.“The Dramatic Ring.”
Ring him up.A telephone phrase, really borrowed from the theatrical profession, in which the prompter’s “Ring up” and “Ring down”--i.e.the curtain--have obtained favour since the “Palmy Days of the Drama.”
Rink.An American variant of “Ring.” In the sense of a skating rink the term has become popular in England.
Rio de Janeiro.This city takes its name from the river discovered by Alfonso de Sousa on the Feast of St Januarius, on which it stands.
Rio de la Plata.Spanish for “river of silver.”
Rio Grande.Spanish for “great river.”
Rip.A corruption of “Rep.” See “Old Rep.”
Ritualists.The extreme High Church party, who for many years past have revived the ancient ritual to such a degree that they may be said to be Roman Catholics in everything save in name.
Riviera.Literally “coast,” “sea-shore.”
Robbing Peter to Pay Paul.An expression derived from the following circumstance:--By Royal Letters Patent, dated 17th December 1540, the abbey church of St Peter, Westminster, was constituted a cathedral, with a resident bishop. Ten years afterwards this order was revoked, the diocese of Westminster being united to that of St Paul’s Cathedral, and its revenues were granted towards the repairs of the city fane; hence what was taken away from St Peter’s went to benefit St Paul’s.
Robert.The generic name for a policeman, after Sir Robert Peel, who introduced the modern constabulary system.
Robert Street.In the Adelphi, after the Christian name of one of the three brothers Adam, its builders. In Camden Town, after one of the family names of the Marquis of Camden, the ground landlord.
Robert the Devil.The surname of the first Duke of Normandy, the father of William the Conqueror, merited by his outrageous cruelty and daring in war.
Robin Hood.The proper name of this renowned leader of the Sherwood Foresters was Robert Fitzooth. The first he euphonised intoRobinand the second intoHood, leaving out theFitz, which is Norman for “son,” altogether, since having been declared an outlaw, he was not unwilling to renounce his claims to Norman descent. Whether or not he was really Earl of Huntingdon, as some historians assert, cannot be proved.
Robinson.The French popular name for an umbrella, in allusion to Robinson Crusoe.
Rob Roy.The popular name of the Scottish outlaw Robert Macgregor, meaning simply “Robert the Red” on account of his beard.
Rochester.FromHrofoceaster, after Hrop, a Saxon chieftain, who built a castle on the site of acastra, or Roman encampment.
Rochester Row.A name which recalls the fact that, prior to the time of George III., the Deanery of Westminster was included in the Bishopric of Rochester.
Rock Day.Another ancient name for “Distaffs’ Day,” 7th January, the wordrockbeing the Anglo-Saxon for a distaff.
Rogation Days.So called from the Latinrogare, to beseech, and also from the Greeklitaneia, supplication. These being the three days preceding the Feast of the Ascension, the Litany of the Saints is chanted by way of preparation and supplication for the joyful event.
Rogation Sunday.That which ushers in the “Rogation Days.”
Roger de Coverley.The correct description of this surname is Roger de Cowley, or Roger of Cowley, near Oxford. The dance of this name was invented by an ancestor of the country squire, Sir Roger de Coverley, mentioned by Addison inThe Spectator.
Rogues’ Gallery.The name given to the collection of criminals’ photographs in the State Prison of New York.
Roland for an Oliver.See “Gave him a Roland for an Oliver.”
Roll Call.The list of names called out in the army. The term “Roll” is a survival of those far-off days when not only a list, but writing of all kinds, was set forth on one long roll of paper. We still speak of a “Burgess Roll,” while to belong to any society is said to be “enrolled” among its members; hence also the phrase “Roll of Honour.”
Rolls Chapel.This ancient edifice, now incorporated in the New Record Office, was built by Henry III. for a number of Jewish rabbis who, had been converted to Christianity. Into it Edward III. caused all the accumulated rolls or records to be stored, and there they remained in the custody of the Master of the Rolls, until in more modern days they were overhauled and catalogued.
Roman Catholic Church.The ancient original fold of “The Holy Catholic Church,” which acknowledges the authority of the Pope of Rome. The recognised head of the English Catholic Church is the King, represented by the Archbishop of Canterbury, just as that of “The Greek Catholic Church” in Russia is the Czar, represented by the Metropolitan of St Petersburg.
Rome.After Romulus, its mythical founder.
Romeo Coates.Robert Coates was a fashionable amateur actor during the early part of the last century; surnamed Romeo Coates on account of his very many appearances in the character of the ill-fated hero inRomeo and Juliet.
Romford.The ford over the Bourne, anciently called the Rom, this being the Roman highway between London and Colchester.
Romney Street.After Charles Marsham, Earl of Romney, the owner of the estate.
Rood Lane.From an ancient holy rood or cross, on which was a figure of the dying Saviour, that stood in this thoroughfare as a boundary mark of the landed property of the nuns of St Helen’s. See “Mincing Lane.”
Rosary.A string of beads, and also the prayers said in connection therewith, so called because the Virgin appeared in a vision to St Dominic, who instituted this Catholic devotion, holding out to him a garland of red and white roses. The ancient rosaries, or “pater-nosters” as they were called, bore an impression of a rose on each bead.
Rose.An inn and tavern sign which, as a painted device, red or white, displayed a partisanship for the Lancastrians or the Yorkists. After the union of the two royal houses nothing was easier to quench the former partiality for either the red or white rose than to exhibit in place of the coloured design the name of “The Rose,” as a general compliment to the Crown.
Rose and Crown.This inn and tavern sign symbolised the cessation of the Wars of the Roses by the marriage of Henry VII. to Elizabeth, the daughter of Edward IV.
Rosebery Avenue.After Lord Rosebery, the erstwhile leader of the Liberal party in our time.
Rosoman Street.Perpetuates the memory of Mr Rosoman, who converted Sadler’s Musick House into a regular theatre in 1765.
Rosslyn Hill Park.From Rosslyn House, the residence of Alexander Wedderburn, Earl of Rosslyn, and Lord Chancellor of England.
Rotherhithe.ProperlyRoth-hithe, the Anglo-Saxon for “red haven.” See “Rutland.”
Rotten Row.This name is a survival of the days when French was the language of the Court. Properlyroute du roi, it is literally “route of the King,” and meant the King’s drive across the park.
Rouge et Noir.French for “red and black,” the alternatecolour of the diamonds that distinguish the spaces on the gaming-table.
Roughriders.The name borne by expert horsemen in Natal, who dispense with saddles.
Roulette.Expresses the French for “a little wheel.”
Roumania.As its name implies, this was anciently a Roman province.
Roumelia.A Turkish corruption of Roumania, “the country of the Romans.”
Roundheads.The Parliamentary soldiers under Cromwell, so called from the custom of the Puritans of cropping the hair close to the head, as opposed to that of the Cavaliers, who wore it long.
Rouser.An Americanism for what we in this country style a “Pick-me-up.”
Rout.A fashionable assembly, so called from the Germanrotteand Celtic “rhauter,” a crowd. The name is now never heard, but what are called “Rout Seats,” generally requisitioned for such gatherings, are still let out on hire.
Rowton Houses.The name given to large blocks of tenements exclusively designed for the accommodation of unmarried clerks and others employed in the city. The foundation of the late Lord Rowton.
Roxburgh.From the Celticross, a headland, the castle on the promontory.
Roxburghe.A superior style of bookbinding, so called from that uniformly adopted by the Roxburghe Club, a society established for printing rare books, and named after John, Duke of Roxburghe, a famous collector of works of art and literature.
Royalists.The adherents of Charles I. in the Civil War.
Royal Maunds.The name given to doles of money corresponding to the years of life attained by the reigning monarch to the poor on “Maundy Thursday.”This custom has been in vogue ever since the time of Edward III.
Royal Oak.An inn sign which had its origin during the Restoration period, in compliment to Charles II. See “Oak Apple Day.”
Royal Oak Day.Another name for “Oak Apple Day.”
Rufus.The surname of William II. on account of his florid complexion;rufusis the Latin for “ruddy.”
Rugby.A corruption of the SaxonRothby, “red village,” in allusion to its soil.
Rum.A West Indian word for spirit distilled from cane juice.
Run.An Americanism used as a verb for “finance,” whether in relation to a person or a business enterprise. “Who’s running him?” means who is it that keeps him going, or on his feet?
Run Amuck.To run foul of a person or thing. The phrase is derived from the Malays, who, while under the influence of opium, rush through the streets with drawn daggers, crying:Amog! amog!(“Kill! kill!”), and threaten the lives of everyone they encounter.
Running Footman.A tavern sign in Mayfair, reminiscent of the days when running footmen, carrying a short staff of office, preceded the carriages of the wealthy. The object of this custom was to give timely notice of the impending arrival of their masters. The tavern in question, situated in Hayes’ Mews, was formerly the regular resort of running footmen and sedan chairmen.
Rupert’s Land.After Prince Rupert, one of the founders of the Hudson’s Bay Company.
Rupert Street.After Prince Rupert, who introduced his invention of“Prince Rupert’s Drops,”“Prince Rupert’s Drops,”or glass bubblers, into England.
Russell Square.After Lord William Russell, the patriot, whose wife, Rachel, was the daughter of Thomas Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton, Marquis of Tavistock,Duke of Bedford, the ancestor of the present great ground landlord. The several streets of the same name are included in the estate.
Russell Street.In Bermondsey, after Richard Russell, a noted benefactor to the parochial charities during his life, and after his death in 1784. For other streets so denominated on the Bedford estate see “Russell Square.”
Russia.The country of theRuss, the tribe that first overran it.
Rutland.A corruption of the Anglo-SaxonRothland, “red land,” so called on account of the colour of its soil.
Rutland Gate.After the town mansion of the Dukes of Rutland.
Rye Lane.Leads to “Peckham Rye.”
Ryot.A Hindoo peasant or cultivator of the soil, so called from the Arabicraaya, to pasture.
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Sabbatarians.The followers of Brabourne, a Baptist minister, who held that the real Sabbath was the seventh day of the week, as enunciated in the Book of Genesis. This sect arose in 1628. Also known as “Seventh Day Baptists.”
Sabeans.The first idolaters, worshippers of the sun, moon, and stars as the visible representations of the Deity; so called after Sabi, the son of Seth.
Sack.A dry wine of great repute in Elizabethan times, so called from the Frenchsec, dry.
Sackville Street.Built upon in 1679--that is, twenty years after “Air Street”--this thoroughfare was named in honour of Charles Sackville, Earl of Dorset, one of the favourites of Charles II.
Sacramentarians.The designation of the Calvinists,or those who denied the Real Presence in the Eucharist.
Sacrilege.Literally the act of despoiling that which is sacred.
Sadler’s Wells Theatre.Originally a “Musick House” in connection with a Spa opened by Mr Sadler, who, after digging for gravel in his garden in 1683, discovered an ancient “holy well” that had been stopped up since the Reformation.
Saffron Hill.From the saffron which grew abundantly in the grounds attached to Ely House, the town mansion of the bishops of Ely.
Sahara.Expresses the Arabic for “desert.”
Sailor King.William IV., who, having been bred to the sea in his youth, worked up his way from a midshipman to the position of Lord High Admiral. In his case promotion was no doubt easy.
St Albans.The scene of the martyrdom of St Alban,A.D.297, in honour of whom Offa, King of Mercia, founded a Benedictine abbey.
St Andrew Undershaft.The Church of St Andrew in Leadenhall Street, so called from the tall shaft or Maypole which, bedecked with garlands on high festivals, stood within a few yards of its door. Since this shaft towered high above the steeple the church was said to be “under the shaft.” After the Reformation the shaft was taken down and kept in an adjacent alley, now called “Shaft Alley.” Thirty-two years later the popular voice declared it to be a relic of superstition, whereupon it was “raised off the hooks,” sawn into pieces, and burnt.
St Andrews.After St Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland, whose bones are enshrined in the Cathedral.
St Andrew’s Hill.From the church of St Andrew, at its south-western extremity.
St Bees.From an ancient nunnery founded in the seventh century by an Irish saint named Bega. Partly destroyed by the time of Henry I., it was then reconstitutedas a priory by Randulp, Earl of Cumberland. This village is known chiefly on account of its college, the foundation of Dr Law, Bishop of Chester in 1806.
St Bride Street.From the neighbouring parish church of St Bride or Bridget.
St Clement Danes.Dedicated to St Clement, this parish church received the bones of Harold I. and many of his countrymen during the Danish occupation of England.
St David’s Day.The birthday (1st March) of St David, the patron saint of Wales, who when archbishop advised his countrymen to wear a leek in their caps, to distinguish them from their foes. In consequence of the precaution they won a decisive victory over the Saxons on this day, and the leek became the national emblem.
St Ethelburga’s.This, one of the most ancient churches in the city, was dedicated to St Ethelburga, the daughter of King Ethelbert, and a paragon of all the Christian virtues.
St Ethelreda’s.This beautiful city church in Ely Place, after having gone through many vicissitudes since the Reformation, is now once more a Roman Catholic place of worship. St Ethelreda was the daughter of Ethelred, King of the East Angles; her name is often corrupted into St Audrey. See “Tawdry.”
St George and Dragon.An inn sign after the patron saint of England.
St George’s Hall.This place of entertainment, now occupied by Messrs Maskelyne & Devant, was opened in 1867 as St George’s Opera House, so called on account of its location in the parish of St George, Hanover Square.
St George’s in the East.The modern designation of “Ratcliff Highway,” from the parish church dedicated to St George, patron saint of England.
St George’s Square.After the neighbouring church, dedicated to St George.
St Grouse’s Day.The jocular term for the twelfth of August, when grouse shooting begins.
St Helena.This island was discovered on the Feast of St Helena, 1502.
St Helen’s Place.From the adjacent church of St Helen’s, dedicated to St Helena, the mother of Constantine. Thirty years later in 1180, William Fitzwilliam, a wealthy goldsmith, founded a priory of nuns in connection therewith.
St James’s Palace.Stands on the site of an ancient hospital for lepers dedicated to St James the Less, Bishop of Jerusalem. The original palace was built by Holbein for Henry VIII.
St James’s Square.Like the street of the same name, after St James’s Palace.
St John’s Gate.The last vestige of the ancient priory of St John of Jerusalem, the English seat of the Knights Hospitallers. The gateway now forms the headquarters of the St John’s Ambulance Association. Here William Cave, the printer, projected and publishedThe Gentleman’s Magazine.
St John’s Wood.From the ancient “Abbey of the Holy Virgins of St John the Baptist,” which nestled among the now vanished woods in this neighbourhood.
St Katherine Coleman.Dedicated to St Katherine, this city church received its second name on account of its location in the garden of one Coleman, the builder of the street called after him.
St Katherine Cree.Originally a chapel dedicated to St Katherine in the parish of Holy Trinity (in the Minories). This on the abolition of the neighbouring benefices of Christ Church, St Mary Magdalen, and St Michael was made into a separate parish of Christ Church, and, while retaining the old name, came to be known as “St Katherine Christi,” of which “Cree” is a corruption.
St Katherine’s Docks.From an ancient hospital of StKatherine, displaced when these docks were constructed in 1828.
St Kitt’s Island.Discovered by Columbus, it was named by him after St Christopher, his patron saint.
St Lawrence.The gulf of this name was first entered, and the navigation of the great river embarked upon, on the Feast of St Lawrence, 1500.
St Lawrence Jewry.The church dedicated to St Lawrence in the Jewry. See “Old Jewry.”
St Leger Stakes.See “Doncaster St Leger.”
St Lubbock.The popular nickname of Lord Avebury, formerly Sir John Lubbock, to whom our countrymen are indebted for the introduction of legalised Bank Holidays.
St Margaret Pattens.This church received its name from the gilt spots, orpatines, with which its roof was anciently decorated. Apatenis the circular gold dish which covers the chalice at the altar.
St Martin’s Lane.From the parish church of St Martin in the Fields.
St Martin’s-le-Grand.The official designation of the buildings collectively comprised in the headquarters of the General Post Office. This is because the original edifice occupies the site of an ancient college church dedicated to St Martin-le-Grand, the foundation of Within, King of Kent in 750, and invested with the privilege of sanctuary under a charter of William the Conqueror.
St Mary-Axe.From a vanished church of St Mary that stood opposite to a shop which had an axe for its sign. Originally “St Mary-by-the-Axe.”
St Mary-le-Bow.See “Bow Church.”
St Mary Woolnoth.Dedicated to the Virgin; this church was so called because it stoodnough, or nigh, to the ancient wool beam or staple.
St Michael’s Mount.Anciently the seat of a religioushouse, to the monks of which, as tradition states, St Michael once appeared on the crag, where in later years a castle was built, the exact spot being indicated by a stone lantern, since known as “St Michael’s Chair.”
St Olave’s.A corruption of “St Olafs,” this church having been dedicated to Olaf, King of Norway, who Christianised his country, and at the invitation of Ethelred came over to England to render aid in the work of expelling the Danes.
St Pancras.This parish takes its name from the ancient church in Old St Pancras Road dedicated to the boy saint who was martyred by Diocletian. A representation of this youth being attacked by wild dogs may be seen on the stone bridge over the Regent’s Canal, which serves as a boundary mark to the parish.
St Partridge’s Day.A popular nickname for “Partridge Day.”
St Paul of the Cross.See “Passionists.”
St Petersburg.Founded by Peter the Great, and dedicated to St Peter, whose church is situated within the citadel.
St Sepulchre’s.The foundation of this church was the outcome of the Crusades, in honour of the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem. Appropriately enough, the bell of the modern edifice gave warning to the unhappy inmates of the condemned cell in Newgate Prison over the way of their approaching last hour.
St Sophia.This beautiful mosque at Constantinople, although originally a Christian cathedral, so far from having been dedicated to any St Sophia, was calledHagia Sopia, “Holy Wisdom”--i.e.the eternal wisdom ofGodmanifested in the Second Person of the Trinity.
St Stephen’s.The House of Commons bears this name because, in the absence of a separate building, its members held their sittings in the Chapel of St Stephen’s, Westminster Abbey, until that edifice was burned down, 16th October 1834.
St Swithin’s Day.The day of the attempted reinterment (15th July) of the body of St Swithin, preceptor of King Ethelwulf and Bishop of Rochester, whose death took place 2nd July 862. Not regarding himself worthy to be “laid” within the sacred edifice, he requested that he might be buried just outside the door in the churchyard, so that the faithful would walk over his grave. Although they acceded to this last wish, the monks decided afterwards to lay him inside the church; but their design was frustrated for forty successive days by a pouring rain, until at last they desisted from the attempt. This circumstance gave rise to the saying that “If it rains on St Swithin’s day it will rain for forty days.”
St Valentine’s Day.The connection between St Valentine and the poetical epistles that were formerly interchanged between young lovers on the 14th of February is somewhat remote. On this day the good Christian Bishop was beheaded at Rome in the year 278. Long before this, however, Roman youths and maidens had followed the custom of selecting a lover for the year by shaking up the names of their favourites, written on separate tablets, in a box. This arose out of the old notion that birds begin to pair on the 14th of February. The martyrdom of Bishop Valentine on this day therefore actuated the Christians to style their selected lover their Valentine, and the presents they exchanged in modern times bore the same name.
Salic Law.The ancient Frankish law by which females were excluded from the throne. This was originally confined to what were called “Salic Lands,” either, as some say, from thesalle, or hall of the owner, or, according to others, from the Salian Franks, those bordering on the Sale or Yssel River; the enactment eventually applied to the heritage of the Frankish kingdom.
Salisbury Square.This, like the street and court of the same name, marks the site of the town mansion and grounds of the bishops of Salisbury.
Salop.See “Shropshire.”
Salt Lake City.The hot-bed of the Mormons, founded on the borders of the Great Salt Lake, so called on account of the saline character of its waters.
Salutation.An inn sign in honour of the Salutation of the Virgin.
Salviati.See “Del Salviati.”
Salzburg.The fortified town on the Salza River.
Samaria.After Shemer, the owner of the hill which, as we are told in 1 Kings xvi. 24, Omri bought for two talents of silver, “and built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, after the name of Shemer, owner of the hill, Samaria.”
Sambo.The generic name of a North American Negro; derived from the nativeZambo, the offspring of a black and a Mulatto.
Sanci Diamond.One of the great gems of the world, weighing 106 carats, originally the property of a French nobleman of this name, and purchased in 1835 by the Czar of Russia for half-a-million roubles.
Sandbaggers.A modern street terror in American cities while the police are looking the other way, so called because they stun their victims with elongated bags of hard, wet sand, and then rob them at leisure.
Sandhillers.A name given in America to the descendants of the white labourers, who, ousted from their employment when slavery came in, sought the sand-hills amid the pine forests of Georgia and South Carolina.
Sandow Girl.A physical culture girl trained at the Academy of Eugene Sandow, or at home by means of appliances advertised in connection therewith. Also known as the “Symmetrion Girl” from the name on the familiar posters. The Sandow or Symmetrion Girls proved a great attraction in the Athletic Scene ofThe Dairymaidsat the Apollo Theatre.
Sandwich.The sand village.
Sandwiches.After John Montague, Earl of Sandwich,whose chief claim to celebrity lay in the fact that he was an inveterate gamester. It is on record that he often remained engrossed in play for thirty hours at a stretch without partaking of a meal. From time to time, however, he would ask the waiter to bring him a slice of meat between two pieces of bread, as a stay to the appetite. The waiter called this improvised meal a “Sandwich,” and by that name it has ever since been known.
Sandwich Islands.Named by Captain Cook in honour of Lord Sandwich, First Lord of the Admiralty, at the time when they were discovered by him.
Sandy.The nickname of a Scotsman, being short for Alexander, the most common Christian name to be met with in North Britain.
San Francisco.Dedicated to St Francis, this Spanish-American city really received its name from a coast settlement of missionaries styled “San Francisco de Costa Dolores” as far back as September 1776.
Sankey’s Horse.The regimental nickname of the 39th Foot. This was merited in India, when they were called upon to do temporary service on horseback under Colonel Sankey.
Sansculottes.The lowest orders of the people during the French Revolution. This, literally “without breeches,” was the scornful title at first bestowed by the aristocrats upon the Democratic party on account of their neglectful attire. A little while later the Red Republicans accepted it with pride as the password for patriotism.
San Salvador.This being the first land sighted in the New World by Columbus, he honoured it with the name of the “Holy Saviour,” as a perpetual expression of thanksgiving.
Sans Souci.This, the French for “free and easy,” or “without care,” was the name borne by a famous place of amusement originally built by Dibdin as a bijou theatre in Leicester Square.
Santa Fe.Spanish for “Holy Faith.”
Santa Cruz.Spanish for “Holy Cross.”
Santiago.From the cathedral (in the city of Spain so named) containing the bones of St Jago, or James the Less, the national patron saint.
Saraband.After Zarabanda, a celebrated dancer of Seville, who invented it.
Saracens.From the Arabicsharkeyn, “eastern people”; originally the designation of the Bedouins of Eastern Arabia. By the Crusaders it was applied to the Mohammedans generally. See “Moors.”
Saracen’s Head.An inn sign of the time of the Crusades. Lest it might be thought that this was complimentary to the enemies of Christianity, mention may be made of the fact that the head of the Saracen was represented as severed.
Saragossa.A corruption of the Roman nameCæsarea Augusta.
Saratoga.Indian for “miraculous waters from the rock,” touching the famous mineral springs.
Saratoga Trunk.The popular type of travelling trunk in the United States, so called because it was first used by visitors to Saratoga Springs.
Sarcophagus.A Greek compound ofsarkos, flesh, andphargo, to eat. The term was originally applied to a receptacle for the dead, because the early examples were made out of a kind of limestone which was thought to possess the property of consuming a corpse in a very short time.
Sardines.From Sardinia, in the waters of which island the true species of this fish abound.
Sardinia.CalledSandaliotisby the Greeks on account of its resemblance to a human footprint; this name was changed by the Romans toSardo. At a later period the island was calledSardonion, from a poisonous herb, transplanted from Sardis in Asia Minor, which brought about a twitching of the muscles of the faceresembling laughter; hence the phrase to “Smile sardonically.”
Sardinia Street.From the Sardinian Chapel built in 1648 in connection with the residence of the Sardinian Ambassador at the time when the island of Sardinia was nominally a kingdom, but really in the possession of Spain.
Sardonic Smile.See “Sardinia.”
Sarsenet.A fine silk originally of Saracenic manufacture.
Saturday.This, the seventh day of the week, was dedicated by the Romans to Saturn. As, however, all the other week-days were named by the people of Northern Europe in accordance with Scandinavian mythology, one must incline to the opinion that this was named after Sæter, a water deity. Its Anglo-Saxon designation wasSæterdæg.
Saturnalia.The great winter festival of the Romans in honour of Saturn, the god of agriculture.
Saunders Blue.An easy corruption of the FrenchCendres bleus, “blue ashes,” calcined bluestone being the substance from which this pigment is obtained.
Sauterne.A French wine produced at the place of the name, in the department of Gironde.
Saved my Bacon.This expression originated during the Civil War, when housewives took extraordinary measures to save the bacon stored up for winter consumption from the greedy appetites of soldiers on the march.
Savile Row.After Dorothy Savile, who, marrying into the Burlington family, received this portion of the estate as her separate property.
Savoy.A cabbage originally introduced from the French department of this name.
Savoy Street.From the Savoy Chapel, the original of which, prior to its destruction by fire, 7th July 1864, was the only remaining portion of the ancient Savoy Palace built by Peter of Savoy, uncle to the queenofofHenry III., in 1249.
Sawney.A variant of “Sandy.”
Saxons.From theseax, the short crooked knife with which this tribe were armed.Sahsis the Old German for knife. Since the days of Daniel O’Connell Irish patriots have been fond of referring to the English people as Saxons, the natural enemies of the Celts.
S’Blood.A trooper’s corruption of “His Blood,” or the precious blood of the Redeemer. This species of profanity survives in the vulgar swear-word “Bloody.”
Scales of Justice.The ancient Egyptians believed that the good deeds of a soul after death would be weighed against his evil deeds. The Koran likewise teaches that the merits and demerits of departed souls are balanced in the scales of the Archangel Gabriel; hence the phrase now popular all the civilised world over.
Scalper.An Americanism for one who speculates in railroad tickets, and consequently obtains them at a reduction of their top prices.
Scaramouch.A character in the old Italian comedy, the prototype of the modern clown, so called fromscaramuccia, a skirmish.
Scarborough.The fortified scar or precipitous cliff, so called on account of the castle built about 1136.
Scarborough Warning.A warning given too late to be taken advantage of. In 1557 Thomas Stafford seized Scarborough Castle before the townsfolk had the least intelligence of his approach. After taking possession he advised them to fly from the town and leave their belongings.
Scarlet.From the Persiansakarlat, “bright red.”
Scavenger’s Daughter.A corruption of Skevington’s Daughter, this instrument of torture being the invention of William Skevington, Lieutenant of the Tower,temp.Henry VIII. He called it his daughter because it emanated from his own brain. Those who were fated to suffer by it sadly consented, as the saying was, to “Kiss the Scavenger’s Daughter.”
Schaffhausen.Literal German for “sheep-houses” or pens.
Schiedam.Another name for Hollands, or Dutch gin, from the place where this native spirit is distilled.
Schooner.This kind of vessel received its name from the exclamation of a spectator at the time when its earliest example was launched: “Look, she schoons!”
Schottische.Expresses the German for a Scottish dance, a variation of the polka, in three-quarter time. The Scots, however, repudiate its invention. It is not improbable that a Scotsman, sojourning in the Fatherland, blundered into this step through his inability to dance the polka correctly.
Scilly Isles.After the name of one of the smallest, in proximity to a very dangerous rock similar to that of Scylla in Sicily which, according to Homer, was the abode of a monster so denominated.
Scissors-tail.A South American bird which in the course of its flights opens and shuts its tail for the purpose of entrapping the flies that constitute its prey.
Scorching.A bicycling term which, curiously enough, only came into vogue after the possibility of realising it had been removed. In the days of the old “Bone-shaker,” before rubber tyres were heard of, there would have been great likelihood of setting the wooden machine on fire by furious riding on the part of an expert.
Scotch Reel.See “Reel.”
Scot-free.A phrase derived from the old legal exaction “Scot and Lot,” the former being derived from the Anglo-Saxonsceat, pay, and the latter meaning a tribute allotted to every man according to his means. It was rare indeed that anyone got off “Scot-free” in ancient times.