Dictionary of phrase and fable, giving the derivation, source or origin of common phrases, allusions, and words that have a tale to tell... . To which is added a concise bibliography of English literature / by Ebenezer Cobham Brewer.

  • E. Cobham Brewer
Date:
1910
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Dictionary of phrase and fable, giving the derivation, source or origin of common phrases, allusions, and words that have a tale to tell... . To which is added a concise bibliography of English literature / by Ebenezer Cobham Brewer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Hamomcus wrote the (Jertarncn catho- licum cum Calvinistis, every word of which begins with c. V It is a curious coincidence that the names of these three men all begin with H. II In the Materia more Magistralis every word begins with m. H Placentius, the Dominican, who died 1548, wrote a poem of 258 Latin hexa- meters, called Pugna Porcoruni, every word of which begins with p. It begins thus:— “Plaudite, Force] li, porcoruni pigra propago.” Which may be translated— “ Praise, Paul, prize pig’s prolific progeny.” H Tusser, who died 1580, has a rhym- ing poem of twelve lines, every word of which begins with t. H The Rev. B. Poulter, prebendary of Winchester, composed in 1828 the famous alliterative alphabetic poem in rhymes. Each word of each line begins with the letter of the alphabet which it represents. It begins thus:— “ An Austrian army awfully arrayed, Boldly l>y Irattery besieged Belgrade ; Cossack commanders, cannonading come. Dealing destruction’s devastating doom ; . . .” 7 Some ascribe this alliterative poem to Alaric A. Watts (1820). [See H. SouTHUATE, Many Thoughts on Many Things.) Another attempt of the same kind begins thus:— ” About an age ago, as all agree. Beauteous Belinda, brewing best Boliea Carelessly chattered, controverting clean, Dublin’s derisive, disputatious dean . . .” Allo'dials. Lands which are held by an absolute right, without even the bur- den of homage or fidelity; opposed to feudal. The word is Teutonic— (all property). Allop'athy is in opposition to JIo- mceop'athy. The latter word is from the Greek, homoeon pathos, similar disease ; and the former is alio pathos, a different disease. In one case, “ like is to cure like” ; and in the latter, the disease is cured by its “ antidote.” Alls. The Jive Alls. A public-house sigu. It has five human figures, with a motto to each : — <1) A king in his regalia -. motto I govern all. (2) A'bishop, in his pontificals „ / pray for all. f.H) A lawyer, in his gown •. „ I plead for all. (4) A soldier in regimentals „ T fight for all. l&) A labourer, with his tools „ I pay for all. Several of these signs still exist. Alls. Tap-droppings. The refuse of all sorts of spirits drained from the glasses, or spilt in drawing. The mixture is sold in gin-houses at a cheap rate. Allworth. In A New Way to Pay Old Debts, by Massinger. Allworthy, in Fielding’s Tom Jones, is designed for the author’s friend, Ralph Allen, of Bristol. “ Let humble Alleu, with an awkward shame. Do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame.” Pope: Epilogue to Sat. i. 135,13f>. Al'ma (the human soul), queen of “Body Castle,” beset by enemies for seven years {the Seven Ages of Man). The besiegers are a rabble rout of evil desires, foul imaginations, and silly conceits. Alma conducted Arthur and Sir Guy on over her castle. “ The divine part of a man,” says Spenser, “is circular, a circle being the emblem of eternity; but the mortal part tri- angular, as it consists of three things— blood, flesh, and bones. Poem. Alma Mater. A collegian so calls the university of which he is a member. The words are Latin for ‘ ‘ fostering mother.” “Expulsion from his Alma Mater.”—T/fe Col- legian and the Porter. Almack’s. A suite of assembly rooms in King Street, St. James’s (London), built in 1765 by a Scotchman named Macall, who inverted his name to obviate all prejudice and hide his origin. Balls, presided over by a committee of ladies of the highest rank, used to be given at these rooms; and to be admitted to them was as great a distinction as to be presented at Court. The rooms were afterwards known as Willis’s, from the name of the next proprietor, and used chiefly for large dinners. They were closed in 1890. Almagest. The Syntaxis-megiste of Ptolemy, translated by the Arabians in 800, by order of the calif A1 Maimon, and then called Al-maghesti, i.e. “the megiste.” It contains numerous obser- vations and problems of geometry and astronomy. It is very rare, and more precious than gold. Alman, a German. The French Allemand, a German, which, of course, is the classic Alamani or Alamanm. Similarly, Almany = Germany, i'rench, Allemagnc. “ Clionodomariusand Vestralpus, Aleman Kings, . . . sai them dowue neere unto Argentoratum.” Holland: Animianus Marcelling. “ISTow Fulko romes . . . .And dwelt in Amany.”—Harrington : Orlando Fnrioso. iii. 30.
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