Part 7
=Egalité.= The name assumed by Philippe, Duc d’Orleans, the father of Louis Philippe, King of France, when, siding with the Republican Party in 1789, he accepted their motto: “Liberty, Fraternity, and Equality.” Four years later he met his death by the guillotine.
=Ehrenbreitstein.= Expresses the German for “Honour’s Broad Stone.” The castle stands on a precipitous rock, which well merits the description of the “Gibraltar of the Rhine.”
=Eisteddfod.= Celtic for a gathering of Welsh bards, from _eistodd_, to sit. As of old, the annual “Eisteddfod” is held for the encouragement of national music.
=Eldorado.= California. _Eldorado_ expresses the Spanish for “golden region.”
=Electic Philosophers.= Those who, agreeably to the Greek _ek-lego_, to pick out, selected what was best in the different schools or systems, and so built up one of their own.
=Elephant and Castle.= The famous landmark in South London derived its sign from the arms of the Cutlers’ Company. A tavern in St Pancras parish took its sign from the skeleton of an elephant, beside which was a flint-headed spear, dug up in the neighbourhood. The connection between these and the battle fought by the followers of Queen Boadicea against the Roman invaders was unmistakable.
=Elephant stepped on his Purse.= An Americanism implying that a creditor or some unlucky speculation has squeezed all the money out of a man.
=Elgin Marbles.= Brought from Greece by the seventh Earl of Elgin. Acquired by the nation for the British Museum in 1816.
=Elia.= The pseudonym of Charles Lamb for his “Essays” contributed to _The London Magazine_. This was the name of a gay, light-hearted foreigner, who fluttered about the South Sea House at the time when Lamb was a clerk there. At the moment of penning his signature to the first essay he bethought himself of that person, and substituted the name of _Elia_ for his own.
=Eltham.= Anciently _Ealdham_, “the old home.” Here Anthony Bec, the “Battling Bishop of Durham,” built himself a palace midway in the thirteenth century. After his death it fell to the Crown, and became a Royal residence, until the time of James I. The original Banqueting-Hall, used in modern days as a barn, may yet be seen.
=Ely Place.= Marks the site of the residence of the Bishops of Ely.
=Ember Days.= This term has no connection with embers or sackcloth and ashes as a penitential observance. The Saxons called them _Ymbrine dagas_, or “running days,” because they came round at regular seasons of the year.
=Emerald Isle.= Ireland, from its fresh verdure, due to its shores being washed by the warm waters of the “Gulf Stream.”
=Empire Day.= May 24th, formerly the Queen’s Birthday. In the last days of Victoria the British Empire was consolidated through the assistance lent by the Colonies to the Mother Country in the South African War. When, therefore, King Edward VII. came to the throne, the former Queen’s Birthday was invested with a greater significance than of old.
=Empire State.= New York, which, owing to position and commercial enterprise, has no rival among the other states of the Union.
=Empire State of the South.= Georgia, in consequence of its rapid industrial development.
=Ena Road.= In honour of Princess Ena, the consort of the young King of Spain.
=Encore.= From the Latin _hauc horam_, till this hour, still, again.
=Encyclopædia.= A book containing general or all-round instruction or information, from the Greek _enkylios_, circular or general, and _paideia_, instruction. An epitome of the whole circle of learning.
=Endell Street.= After the name of the builder. This is one of the few streets in London that has preserved its old characteristics, steadfastly refusing to march with the times.
=England.= In the time of Alfred the Great our country was styled _Engaland_, or the land of the Engles or Angles, who came over from Jutland.
=Englishman’s House is his Castle.= By the law of the land a bailiff must effect a peaceable entrance in order to distrain upon a debtor’s goods; therefore the latter is, as it were, sufficiently secure in his own fortress if he declines to give the enemy admittance.
=Ennis.= Expresses in Ireland, like _Innis_, the Celtic for an island. Both these words enter largely into Irish place-names.
=Enniskillen.= The kirk town on an island, the Celtic _kil_, originally implying a hermit’s cell, and later a chapel.
=Ennismore Place.= After Viscount Ennismore, Earl of Listowel, the ground landlord.
=Enough is as good as a Feast.= Because at no time can a person eat more than enough.
=Enrol.= See “Roll Call.”
=Entente Cordiale.= Expresses the French for cordial good will.
=Entire.= A word still to be met with on old tavern signs. It meant different qualities of ale or beer drawn from one cask.
=Entrées.= French for entries or commencements. Those made dishes are served after the soups, as an introduction to the more substantial portions of the repast, the joints.
=Epicure.= After Epicurus, a Greek philosopher, who taught that pleasure and good living constituted the happiness of mankind. His followers were styled Epicureans.
=Epiphany.= From the Greek _Epiphaneia_, an appearance, a showing; relative to the adoration of the Magi, who came from the East twelve days after the birth of the Saviour.
=Epsom Salts.= From the mineral springs at Epsom.
=Equality State.= Wyoming, where, first among the communities of the world, women were accorded the right to vote.
=Erie.= Indian for “Wild Cat,” the fierce tribe exterminated by the Iroquois.
=Escurial.= Properly _Escorial_, Spanish for “among the rocks.” King Philip II. built this superb convent and palace after the battle of St Quentin, in the course of which he had been obliged to bombard a monastery of the Order of St Jerome. He dedicated it to St Lawrence. He caused the structure to be in the form of a gridiron, the symbol of the Saint’s martyrdom.
=Esk.= A river name derived from the Celtic _uisg_, water.
=Esquimaux.= An Alonquin Indian term signifying “eaters of raw flesh.”
=Essex.= The kingdom of the East Saxons under the Heptarchy.
=Essex Street.= From the mansion of Robert Devereaux, Earl of Essex, the Parliamentary General in Cromwell’s time.
=Ethelred the Unready.= From his incapacity and unwillingness to accept _rede_, or counsel.
=Ethiopia.= From the Greek _aithein_, to burn, and _ops_, the face. Hence “the country of the blacks.”
=Etiquette.= A French word for “label.” Formerly a ticket or card of instructions was handed to visitors on ceremonial occasions. Nowadays such rules as pertain to deportment or decorum are supposed to enter into the education of all well-bred persons.
=Etna.= From the Phœnician _attuna_, a furnace.
=Eton.= The Anglo-Saxon _Eyton_, “island town.”
=Ettrick Shepherd.= The literary sobriquet of James Hogg, the poet, of Ettrick, Selkirkshire.
=Europe.= From the Greek _euros_, broad, and _ops_, the face; literally “the broad face of the earth.”
=Euston Road.= From the seat of the Earl of Euston at Thetford, Norfolk, the ground landlord.
=Evacuation Day.= November 25th, observed in the United States as commemorating the evacuation of New York city by the British after the War of Independence, 1783.
=Evangelist.= From the Greek _euanggelion_, “good news.” One of the four writers of the Gospels of the New Testament.
=Evelyn Street.= From the residence of John Evelyn, the diarist. One of his descendants, the Rev. W. J. Evelyn, of Wolton, built the church of St Luke, Deptford, in 1872.
=Everglade State.= Florida, from its tracts of land, covered with water and grass, called Everglades.
=Ex.= Another form of the Celtic _uisg_, water.
=Exchequer.= The table of this Court was formerly covered with checkered cloth, so called from the Old French _eschequier_, chess board.
=Executive City.= Washington, which contains the White House, the official residence of the President of the Republic, the House of Representatives, and the Senate Chamber.
=Exellers.= The 40th Foot, from the Roman numerals XL.
=Exeter.= Called by the Saxons _Exancester_, or the Roman camp town on the Exe.
=Exeter College.= Founded at Oxford by Walter Stapleton, Bishop of Exeter and Lord Treasurer of England, in 1316.
=Exeter Street.= From the mansion and grounds of the Earl of Exeter, the eldest son of the great Lord Burleigh.
=Exhibition Road.= This wide thoroughfare formed the eastern boundary of the plot of ground purchased by the Commissioners for the Great Exhibition of 1862.
=Exodus.= The Scriptural narrative of the departure of the Israelites from the Land of Bondage.
=Eye.= Expresses the Anglo-Saxon for island. The river Waveney surrounds the town.
=Eye-opener.= An American drink of mixed spirits as a remedy for drowsiness.
F
=Face the Music.= To bear the jeers and taunts of those who laugh at us.
=Factory King.= Richard Oastler of Bradford, the promoter of the “Ten Hours’ Bill.”
=Fag.= Slang for a cigarette, derived from the fag end--_i.e._ fatigued or spent end--of a cigar. Also a small boy who acts as a drudge in the service of another at a public school, so called from the Anglo-Saxon _fæge_, weak, timid.
=Fair Cop.= Thieves’ slang for a smart capture by the police. Whereas another would say “The game’s up!” a thief admits that he has been fairly caught by the expression “It’s a fair cop.” See “Cop.”
=Fair Maid of Kent.= Joan, the beautiful and only daughter of the Earl of Kent, who became the wife of Edward the Black Prince.
=Fair Street.= A name left us as a reminder of a once celebrated fair on the Southwark bank of the Thames.
=Faith Healers.= A sect which upholds the doctrine of healing the sick by prayer and anointing with oil in the name of the Lord, as set forth in James v. 13-15.
=Faix.= An Irishman’s exclamation for “Faith” or “In Faith.”
=Fake.= To make-believe or cheat. An actor is said to “fake up” an article of costume out of very sorry materials, which at a distance looks like the real thing. A photographer can “fake” a spirit photo by means of two distinct plates. Food also is largely “faked.” The word is derived from “Fakir.”
=Fakir.= From the Arabic _fakhar_, poor.
=Falcon Square.= From an ancient hostelry, “The Castle and Falcon,” hard by in Aldersgate Street.
=Falernian.= A celebrated wine, extolled by Horace, Virgil, and other Latin authors, prepared from grapes grown in the district of Falernicum.
=Fall.= An Americanism for autumn, in allusion to the fall of the leaves.
=Fallopian Tubes.= Said to have been discovered by Gabriel Fallopius, the eminent Italian anatomist of the sixteenth century. They were, however, known to the ancients.
=Falls City.= Louisville, in the state of Kentucky, because it overlooks the falls of the Ohio River.
=Falmouth.= A seaport at the mouth of the Fale.
=Family Circle.= This expression had a literal meaning in the time of the Normans, when the fire occupied the centre of the floor, and the smoke found its vent through a hole in the roof. In Germany and Russia the domestic apartments are economically warmed by an enclosed stove in the centre. Amongst ourselves the phrase “sit _round_ the fire” only conveys a half-truth.
=Fancy Drink.= An Americanism for a concoction of various spirits, as distinguished from a Straight Drink of one kind.
=Fandago.= Spanish for a “lively dance.”
=Farmer George.= George III., on account of his dress, manners, and bucolic sporting inclinations.
=Farm Street.= From an old farm, on the land of Lord Berkeley of Stratton in the time of Charles I.
=Faro.= So called from a representation of Pharaoh on one of the cards originally.
=Farringdon Road.= After William Farringdon, citizen and goldsmith, who, for the sum of twenty marks, in 1279 purchased the Aldermanry of the ward named after him.
=Farthing.= From the Anglo-Saxon _feorthling_, a little fourth. In olden times penny pieces were nicked across like a Good Friday bun; so they could be broken into halves and fourths as occasion required.
=Farthingale.= A corruption of Verdingale, from the French _vertugarde_, a guard for modesty. Queen Elizabeth is said to have introduced this hooped petticoat in order to disguise her figure.
=Farthing Poet.= The sobriquet of Richard Horne, who published his chief poem, “Orion,” at one farthing, so that it should not want for buyers.
=Fastern’s E’en.= The Scottish description of Shrove Tuesday, being the eve of the Lenten Fast.
=Father of Believers.= Mohammed, because he established and promulgated the faith of the Moslem, or “true believers.”
=Father of the Music Halls.= The late William Morton, manager of the Palace Theatre of Varieties, and founder of the earliest London Music Hall, “The Canterbury,” in the Westminster Bridge Road, which dates from the year 1848.
=Fathers of the Church.= The great doctors or theological writers of the period from the first to the seventh centuries of Christianity. See “Apostolic Fathers.”
=Faugh-a-Ballagh Boys.= The 87th Foot, from their battle cry.
=Feast of Lanterns.= A Chinese festival which occurs on the fifteenth day of the first moon of the year. Walking by the side of a beautiful lake one night the daughter of a mandarin fell in, and was drowned. When her father heard of the accident he, attended by all his household, carrying lanterns, rushed to the spot. On the anniversary he caused fires to be lighted beside the lake, and invited all the people of the country round about to offer up prayers for the safety of her soul. In course of time the solemn character of the gathering was forgotten, and the day has ever since been observed as a national holiday.
=Feast of Tabernacles.= Commemorative of the forty years’ wandering of the Israelites in search of the Promised Land, during which long period they dwelt in temporary huts or tabernacles, formed of tree branches covered with leaves. Even at the present day the Jews at least take their meals in temporary structures covered with leaves throughout the nine days of the festival.
=Feather in my Cap.= An expression derived from a custom of the North American Indians, who stuck a fresh feather in their head-dress for every one of their enemies slain in battle.
=Feathers.= An inn sign originally, when the painted device appeared in place of the mere name, signifying the “Plume of Feathers,” or “Prince of Wales’s Feathers,” the crest of Edward the Black Prince.
=February.= From the Latin _februare_, to purify, this being the month appointed by the Romans for the festival of the _Februalia_ of purification and expiation.
=Federal States.= During the American Civil War the Treaty States of the North, which resisted the Separatist or Confederate States in the South.
=Feel Peckish.= See “Keep your Pecker up.”
=Fellah.= Arabic for agriculturist or peasant. In the plural, “El Fellahin,” the term is specifically applied to the labouring population of Egypt.
=Fenchurch Street.= From an ancient church in the fens or marshy ground through which ran the Lang Bourne from Beach Lane to the Wall brook behind the Stocks Market, where the Mansion House now stands.
=Fenians.= Said to express the Gaelic for “hunters,” but the greater likelihood is that this secret society took the name of the _Finna Eirinii_, ancient organisation of Irish militia, so called after Fion MacCumhal, the hero of legendary history.
=Fetter Lane.= A corruption of “Fewters Lane,” from the Norman-French _faitour_, an evil-doer, on account of the idle vagabonds who infested it in days when this lane led to some pleasure gardens.
=Feuilleton.= Expresses the French for a small leaf. Like the serial stories nowadays in many English newspapers, articles of a non-political character were introduced in the French _Journal des Debatés_ as long ago as the commencement of the nineteenth century, these being separated from the news by a line towards the bottom of each page.
=Fez.= From Fez in Morocco, whence this red cap of the Turks was introduced into the Ottoman Empire.
=F. F. V.= Initials well understood in America, implying the “First Families of Virginia.”
=Fiddler’s Money.= A threepenny piece. Originally it was a small coin paid by each of the dancers to the fiddler at a merry-making.
=Fifth Monarchy Men.= Religious fanatics of the time of Charles I. who proclaimed the second coming of Christ to establish the fifth monarchy, or millennium. The four previous great monarchies of the world were the Assyrian, Persian, Macedonian, and Roman.
=Fifty Club.= A social club founded in 1899 by G. C. Paterson, incidentally for the entertainment of its members on the attainment of their fiftieth birthday.
=Fighting Fifth.= The 5th Foot, on account of their prowess during the Peninsular War.
=Fighting Fitzgerald.= George Robert Fitzgerald, a noted gamester and duellist of the eighteenth century, with whom no one ever picked a quarrel without falling by his hand. A sure shot and an expert swordsman, he was a man to be feared by all.
=Fight Shy.= Originally a prize-fighting expression, when one of the combatants betrayed a lack of courage.
=Filberts.= After St Philibert, on whose feast day, 22nd August, the nutting season commenced.
=Filibuster.= A Spanish and French corruption of the German _freibeter_, derived from the Dutch _vlie-boot_, or fly-boat, a small clipper vessel. This was introduced into England during the wars with the Low Countries. The word Freebooter claims the same origin.
=Finality John.= The sobriquet of John Russell, afterwards Earl Russell, from his conviction that the passing of the Reform Bill of 1832 would be a _finality_ to the universal Suffrage Question.
=Finch Lane.= Properly Finke Lane, after Sir Richard Finke, who resided in it, and rebuilt the church of St Bennet on the site of the present Royal Exchange. A tradesman in Cheapside rejoices in the possession of the full name of this vanished church, St Bennet-Finke.
=Fingal’s Cave.= That of Fion MacCumhal, abbreviated into Fingal, a celebrated legendary hero.
=Finland.= Properly _Fenland_, the land of lakes and marshes. The native name of the country is _Suomesimaa_, the watered land of the _Suomes_.
=Finsbury.= From the Anglo-Saxon _Fensbury_, the town among the fens or marshes.
=Finsbury Pavement.= The first London thoroughfare where the paving of the side walk with flagstones was introduced.
=Fire dogs.= These adjuncts to an old-fashioned fireplace received their name from the small dog that was anciently imprisoned in a wheel at one end of the spit. Three hours of this canine exercise were required to prepare the roast beef of Old England for the table. If the dog refused to exert himself a live coal was put inside the wheel to accelerate his movements.
=Fire Water.= The North American Indian designation of rum, and ardent spirits generally.
=Fire Worshippers.= The Parsees, who worship the sun as the symbol of the Deity.
=First Gentleman of Europe.= The complimentary sobriquet of George IV., owing to his rank, personal attractions, and the ability, as became a gentleman of the period, of telling good stories well.
=Firth of Forth.= _Firth_ expresses the Gaelic for an estuary or arm of the sea. Forth is the name of the river.
=Fish Street Hill.= From the fishmongers who first congregated here in the reign of Edward I. The Hall of the Fishmongers’ Company stands at the foot of London Bridge.
=Fit-up.= In theatrical parlance the entire appurtenances of a stage, excepting the floor only, carried from town to town, and fitted up in Town Halls, Assembly-rooms, and Corn Exchanges.
=Fitzroy Square.= From one of the family names of the ground landlord.
=Fives.= An old game at ball, usually played by five on each side. The “court” consists of a roomy space with a high wall at one end.
=Fixings.= An Americanism for dress ornaments or accessories; house, hotel, or theatre embellishments and decorations generally.
=Flamingo.= From the bright red colour of this tropical bird.
=Flanders.= From the native name _Vländergau_, the country of the Vländer, who from the earliest period of their history were ruled by counts.
=Flannelled Fools.= An opprobrious epithet bestowed upon the English people on account of their all-pervading sport of cricket by Rudyard Kipling. It gave rise to much acrimony at the time, and tended to lessen his popularity as a writer.
=Flash Jewellery.= Spurious, not what it pretends to be. Like a flash of fire, its brilliance is only fleeting.
=Flask Walk.= In this pleasant lane stands the old hostelry “The Flash.”
=Fleet Road.= All that is left us to remind one of the clear stream which coursed through the meadows down to Holborn (the Old Bourne) and Clerkenwell, emptying itself into the Thames in what is now Bridge Street, Blackfriars.
=Fleet Street.= The River Fleet, which in old days was navigable from the Thames as far as what is now Ludgate Circus. The old English word _Fleot_ expressed a tidal stream deep enough for vessels to float in.
=Fleetwood Road.= Here stood Fleetwood House, the residence of Charles Fleetwood, the Parliamentary General.
=Fleshly School of Poetry.= That of the sensuous order, popularised by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Swinburne, and Morris.
=Flint.= From the flint or quartz which abounds in this country.
=Floralia.= A Roman festival in honour of Flora, commencing 28th April and terminating 2nd May. It was said to have been instituted at the command of an oracle with a view of obtaining from the goddess the protection of blossoms.
=Florence.= Expresses “The City of Flowers.”
=Florida.= Named by Ponce de Leon from the twofold circumstance of his landing upon it on _Pascua Florida_, or Easter Sunday, and the luxuriance of its vegetation.
=Florin.= A silver coin of the value of two shillings, originally struck at Florence. It still bears on its reverse side a representation of a lily, symbolical of “The City of Flowers.”
=Flower Sermon.= An annual observance at the Church of St Katherine Cree, Leadenhall Street, inaugurated by the rector, the Rev. Dr Whittemore, in 1853. The flowers of the earth form the text; the pulpit is richly adorned with flowers; and every member of the congregation brings a bouquet. The idea of the flower service, if not the sermon, has been largely copied in various parts of the country.
=Flunkey.= From the French _flanquer_, the henchman or groom who ran at the flank or side of his mounted master.
=Fly.= Provincial for a hansom cab. When one looks at such a hackney carriage it suggests a sedan-chair on wheels. Such a vehicle, introduced at Brighton for invalids, was a great favourite with George IV. then Prince of Wales, who often requisitioned it for a night frolic. Called by him on account of its lightness a “fly-by-night,” its name became abbreviated into a “fly.”
=Fly Posting.= A showman’s phrase for small bills posted hurriedly in all possible conspicuous places under cover of night.
=Fly-up-the-Creeks.= The people of Florida, who were wont to disappear on the approach of strangers.
=F. M. Allen.= The pseudonym of Mr Edward Downey at the time when he was also a publisher. F. M. Allen was his wife’s maiden name.
=Foley Street.= After the town house of Lord Foley.
=Fontagne.= A wire structure for raising the hair of ladies, introduced by the Duchesse de Fontagne, one of the mistresses of Louis XIV. of France.
=Fontinalia.= Roman festivals in honour of the nymphs of wells and fountains. It was from these that the English and French custom of “Well Dressing” in the month of May found its origin.
=Foolscap.= A size of paper which from time immemorial has had for its watermark a fool’s cap and bells.
=Footpad.= Originally a thief or highway robber who wore padded shoes.
=Fop.= From the German and Dutch _foppen_, to jeer at, make a fool of. This word must be very old, since Vanbrugh gave the name of Lord Foppington to a conceited coxcomb in this comedy “The Relapse,” 1697.
=Forecastle.= The quarters apportioned to the seamen in the fore end of a vessel. Anciently the whole forward portion bore the name of _Aforecastle_ on account of “The Castle” or State Cabin erected in a castle-like form in the centre.
=Forefathers’ Day.= December 21st, commemorated in the New England States on account of the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers in 1620.
=Forest City.= Cleveland (Ohio) and Portland (Maine), on account of the trees which characterise their beautiful avenues.