Phrases and Names, Their Origins and Meanings. Trench H. Johnson
A French word, denoting the tall white plume of a heron. From a feather head-dress the term has now come to be applied to an ornament of gems worn by a lady on the crown of her head when in full evening dress.
Air of a Gentleman. In this sense the word “air” is synonymous with “manner” and “deportment.”
Air Street. When laid out and built upon in 1659 this was the most westerly street in London. The allusion to fresh air is obvious.
Aix-la-Chapelle. The Aquis Granum of the Romans, famous for its baths. Hence the German name Aachen, expressive of many springs. The place is also noted for its many churches; the cathedral, which grew out of the original chapel, contains the shrine of Charlemagne.
Alabama. Indian for “here we rest.”
A la Guillotine. The name given in France after the Revolution to the fashion of wearing the hair very short, in memory of friends and relatives who had fallen victims to the “Guillotine.”
A la Watteau. The name given to a stage ballet in which the pretty rustic costumes are after the style of those ever present in the pastoral paintings of Antoine Watteau, the famous French artist. Reproductions of his pictures frequently also figure on expensive furniture--screens in particular.
Albania. From the Latin albus, white, “the country of snowy mountain ranges.”
Albany. A commodious range of bachelor chambers in Piccadilly, at one time the residence of Frederick, son of George III., created Duke of York and Albany.
Albany Street. After the Duke of York and Albany, temp. George III.
Albemarle Street. In the West End street of this name resided Christopher Monk, second Duke of Albemarle. The other, in Clerkenwell, was built upon when General Monk, the first Duke of Albemarle, was at the zenith of his popularity.
Albert. After the Prince Consort, to whom the jewellers of Birmingham presented a short gold watch-chain on the occasion of his visit to that city in 1849.
Albert Gate. After Prince Albert, the consort of Queen Victoria. The Albert Bridge, Albert Memorial, and Royal Albert Hall likewise perpetuate his name.
Albigensis. Christian heretics of the twelfth century, drawn from the Albigeois, whose capital was Albi, in Languedoc.
Albion. The name given to Britain by the Romans on account of its (albus) white cliffs, as approached from the sea.
Alcantara. From the Arabic Al-kantarah, “the bridge,” referring to the fine stone bridge built by Trajan.
Alcove. From the Arabic El-kauf through the Spanish alcoba, a tent.
Aldermanbury. The bury or enclosed place in which stood the first Guildhall prior to the reign of Henry IV.
Alderney. In French Aurigny, from the Latin Aurinia, Isle of Light.
Aldersgate Street. From the ancient city gate near which grew several fine alder-trees.
Aldgate. From the Auld Gate of Saxon London, the earliest of the city gates.
Aldine Editions. Early editions of the classics produced and given to the world by Aldo Manuzio, the celebrated printer of Venice, in the sixteenth century.
Aldwych. An old name for a magnificent new thoroughfare which has taken the place of quaint, out-of-date Wych Street, anciently described as Auld Wych, leading as it did to the old village, whose parish church was that of St. Giles’s in the Fields.
Ale-stake. The pole anciently set up in front of an alehouse. This was at first surmounted by a bush, in imitation of a wine bush; later it became exchanged for a sign.
Ale-wife. An old name for the wife of a tavern keeper.
Alexandra Limp. When our present Queen, as Princess of Wales, having sustained an injury to her knee, was walking lame, it became the fashion to imitate her gait.
Alexandria. The city founded by Alexander the Great, B.C. 332.
Aleutian Islands. From the Russian aleut, “bald rock.”
Alfreton. Properly Alfred’s Town, identified with Alfred the Great.
Algiers. From the Arabic Al Jezair, “the peninsula.”
Alhambra. From the Arabic Kal-at-al-hamra, “the red castle.”
Alibi. Latin for “elsewhere.”
A Little too Previous. An Americanism for being in too great a hurry; rushing at conclusions; saying or doing a thing without sufficient warranty.
All Abroad. Provincial for scattered wits; “all over the place.”
Allahabad. Arabic and Persian for “City of God.”
All Bosh. The introduction of the term “Bosh” into our vocabulary must be accredited to James Morier, in whose Oriental romances, “The Adventures of Haiji Baba of Ispahan” and “Ayesha,” it frequently appears. Bosh is Persian and Turkish, signifying rubbish, nonsense, silly talk.
Alleghany. A corruption of Alligewi, the name of an Indian tribe.
Allemanni. Teutonic for “All Men”; expressing a confederacy.
All-fired. An Americanism for “great”--e.g. “He came in an all-fired hurry.”
All-hallowe’en. The vigil of “All-hallows’ Day.”
All-hallows’-Barking. This ancient church, dedicated to All the Saints, belonged to the Abbey at Barking, Essex.
All-hallows’ Day. The old-time designation of All Saints’ Day, from Anglo-Saxon halig, holy.
All Moonshine. As the light of the moon is reflected from the sun, so an incredible statement received at second hand is said to be “all moonshine.”
All my Eye and Betty Martin. A corruption of Ah mihi, beate Martine (Woe to me, Blessed Martin), formerly used by beggars in Italy to invoke their patron saint. The story goes that a sailor who wandered into a church in that country, hearing these words, afterwards told his companions that all he could make out from the service was: “All my eye and Betty Martin.”
All Saints’ Bay. Discovered by Amerigo Vespucci on the Feast of All Saints, 1503.
All Saints’ Day. The day set apart by the Church for the invocation of the whole body of canonised saints.
All Serena. From the Spanish serena, used by sentinels as a countersign for “All’s well.”
All Souls’ College. Founded at Oxford by Henry Chichely, Archbishop of Canterbury, for the perpetual offering up of prayers on behalf of the souls of those who fell in the wars of Henry V. in France.
All Souls’ Day. The day of special prayers for the liberation of the suffering souls in Purgatory. The French people make it a point of duty to visit the graves of their deceased relatives on this day.
All the Go. Originally a drapers’ phrase, meaning that a certain line of goods is “going” fast and will soon be gone. A publisher, too, thinks a book should “go” with the reading public.
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