Phrases and Names, Their Origins and Meanings. Trench H. Johnson
Back. A species of sea-duck, regarded as a luxury on account of the delicacy of its flesh. So called from the colour of the plumage on its back.
Cape Finisterre. Adapted by the French from the Latin finis terra, “land’s end.”
Capel Court. The Stock Exchange, so called from the residence of Sir William Capel, Lord Mayor in 1504.
Cape of Good Hope. So called by John II., King of Portugal, after Diaz had touched this point of Africa, as a favourable augury for the circumnavigation of the globe.
Cape Horn. Named Hoorn, after his birthplace, by Schouten, the Dutch navigator, who first rounded it.
Capri. From the Latin caper, a he-goat, expresses the island of wild goats.
Capuchin Friars. From the pointed cowl or capuce worn by them.
Carat Gold. So called because gold and precious stones were formerly weighted against carat seeds or seeds of the Abyssinian coral flower.
Carbonari. Italian for charcoal-burners, in whose huts this secret society held its meetings.
Carburton Street. From the Northamptonshire village on the ducal estate of the ground landlord.
Cardiff. From Caer Taff, the fort on the Taff.
Cardigan. After Ceredog, a famous chieftain.
Caribbean Sea. From the Caribbs, which West Indian designation signifies “cruel men.” Corrupted through the Spanish Caribal, we have derived the word “Cannibal,” for one who eats human flesh.
Carlton House Terrace. From Carlton House, built by Lord Carlton, later the residence of Frederick, Prince of Wales, the father of George III.
Carmagnole. A wild song and dance which came into prominence during the French Revolution. It received its name from Carmagnolas, a town in Piedmont, whence the Savoyard boys carried the tune into the south of France.
Carmarthen. A corruption of Caer-merlin, or the fortress built by Merlin, in the neighbourhood of which he was born.
Carmelites. White Friars of the order of Mount Carmel.
Carnarvon. The fortress on the Arfon, or water.
Carolina. After Carollus, the Latinised name of Charles II., who granted a charter of colonisation to eight of his favourites.
Caroline Islands. In honour of Charles I. of Spain.
Carpenter. Originally one who made only the body or wooden portion of a vehicle. So called from the Latin carpentum, waggon. An ordinary worker in wood was, and still is in the English provinces, a joiner.
Carpet Knight. A civilian honoured with a knighthood by the sovereign. One who has not won his spurs on the field, like the knights of old.
Carry Coals to Newcastle. To do that which is altogether superfluous. It would be ridiculous to take coals to a place where they are found in abundance.
Cartaret Street. After John Cartaret, Earl of Granville, Secretary of State, and one of the most popular ministers of the reign of George II.
Carte de Visite. Photographs received this name because the Duc de Parma in 1857 had his likeness printed on the back of his large visiting-cards.
Carthage. From the Phœnician Karth-hadtha, New Town.
Carthagena. From Carthago Novo, or New Carthage.
Carthusians. Monks of La Chartreuse, near Grenoble. This name is also given to former scholars of the “Charter House.”
Carthusian Street. Although some distance to the west of it, this street leads to the “Charter House.”
Caspian Sea. From the Caspii, who peopled its shores.
Castile. In Spanish Castilla, from the castles or forts set up for defence against the Moors.
Castle. An inn sign denoting a wine-house, from the castle in the arms of Spain.
Catacombs. Italian Catacomba, from the Greek kata, downward, and kumbe, a hollow, a cavity.
Cat and Fiddle. A corruption of “Caton le Fidele,” the faithful Caton, Governor of Calais, whose name was honoured by many an inn sign.
Cat and Wheel. A corruption of the old inn sign the “Catherine Wheel,” the instrument of the martyrdom of St. Catherine.
Cat Call. A corruption of Cat Wail. When a theatre or music-hall audience is dissatisfied with the performance, and impatient for it to be brought to an end, the “Gods” indulging in “Mewing” like a chorus of cats on the roof by night.
Catch a Weasel asleep. No one ever caught a weasel napping, for the simple reason that he hides himself in a hole away from the sight of man.
Catchpenny. Short for “Catnach Penny,” from the penny dying speeches and yard of songs printed by James Catnach in Seven Dials, and hawked about the streets. The “Catnach Press” was as great a power in that day as the trashy “Bits” literature is in our own.
Cathedral. From the Greek kathedra, a seat--i.e. the chair of a bishop. See “City.”
Caucus. From the Caulkers of Boston, U.S., who shortly before the Revolution came into open conflict with the British soldiery. Meetings were held in the calk houses, and a Caulkers’ Club was formed. Since that time a political meeting of American citizens has been styled a Caucus.
Cavalier. From the French chevalier, a horseman.
Cavendish. Tobacco pressed into plugs for chewing, from the name of the first maker.
Cavendish Square. After Henrietta Cavendish, second wife of Lord Harley, the ground landlord.
Centennial State. Colorado, admitted into the American Union one hundred years after the Declaration of Independence.
Ceylon. Called by the Portuguese Selen, an abbreviation of the Sanskrit Sinhaladwipa, “Island of Lyons.”
Chadwell Street. After the name of the source of the New River in Hertfordshire. The well was anciently dedicated to St. Chad.
Chaff. A corruption of chafe, to make hot with anger, as heat may be produced by friction.
Chalk Farm. Originally “Chalcot Farm,” a noted resort for duellists of a past day.
Chalk it up. In allusion to the drink score chalked on a slate against a customer at a country ale-house.
Champagne. A light wine, from the French province of the same name, which expresses a plain, from the Latin campus, field.
Champs de Mars. Expresses the large open space or “Plain of Mars,” in Paris, set apart for military reviews.
Chancery Lane. A corruption of “Chancellor’s Lane,” from the town house of the Bishops of Chichester, afterwards the residence of the Lord High Chancellor of England.
Chandos Street. From the residence of James Bridges, Duke of Chandos.