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
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.
54/1457 (page 42)
![American Flag. Tlie Americau Congress resolved (June 14, 1777), that the hag of the United States should have thirteen stripes, alternately red and white, to represent the thirteen States of the Union, together with thirteen white stars, on a Wue ground. General Washington’s escutcheon con- tained two stripes, each alternated with red and white, and, Hke the American stars, those of the General had only five points instead of six. A new star is now added for each new State, but the stripes remain the same. However, before tlie separation the tlag con- tained thirteen stripes of alternate red and white to indicate the thirteen colonies ; and the East India Company flag, as far hack as 1704, had thir- teen stripes. Tlie Company flag was cantoned with St. George’s Cross, tlie British American flag with the Union Jack. American Peculiarities:— NatiA'es of New England .. .. s-,iy Gness. ,, N. York & Middle Sta tes „ Expect. „ Southern States -. .. ,, Reckon. ,. Western States ■■ •• „ Calculate. American States. The Americans are rich in nicknames. Every state has, or has had, its sobriquet. The peo])le of Alabama are lizards. Arkansas ,, toothpicks California gold-hunters. Colorado „ rovers. Connecticut .. wooden nutmegs. Delaware ., musk rats. Florida. .. ,, lly-up-the-cieeks. Geonjia, ■■ buzzards. fllinois .. ,. suck' I’s. Indiana-■ ,, hoosiers. Iowa ,. hawk-eyes. Kansas ■ ■ ,. jay-hawhers. Kentucky „ corn-crackers. Louisia.ha ,, creoles. Maine ■■ .. foxes. Maryland ,, craw-thumpers. Miciiiyan „ wolverines. Minnesota ,, gophers. Mississippi „ tadpoles. Mis>ouri „ pukes. Nebraska „ bug-eaters. Nevada „ sage-hens. Neiv Hampshire .granite-boys. New Jersey „ Blues or clam-catchers. New York ,, kniciterhockers. North Carolina ,, tar-lioilers or Tuckoes. Ohio ,, buck-eyes. Oretjon ■■ ., web-feet or hard cases. Pennsylvania .. „ Peiinamites or Leather- heads. Rhode Island ■ „ gun-flints. South Carolina ,, weasels. Tennessee ,, whelps. Texas ,, beef-heads. 1 'ermont ,, green-mountain hoys. Virginia „ beadies. W iscon sin „ badgers. American States. The eight states which retain the Indian names of the chief rivers, as: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri. Ohio, and Wisconsin, Ameth'ea. (<SVc House.) Am’ethyst. A species of rock-crystal supiiosed to prevent intoxication (Greex, (t-iiicthuisttf, the antidote of in- toxication). Drinking-cui)s made of amethyst were supposed to be a charm against inebriety. It was the most cherished of all precious stoues by Roman matrons, from the superstition that it would preserve inviolate the affection of their husbands. Amiable Numbers. {Sec amicable, etc.) Amicable Numbers. Numbers which are mutually equal to the sum of all their aliquot parts: as 220, 284. The aliquot parts of 220 are 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, li, 20, 22, 44, 55, 110, the sum of which is 284. Again, the aliquot parts of 284 are 1, 2, 4, 71, 142, the sum of which is 220. Amicus cu'riae (Latin, a friend to the court). One in the court who in- forms the judge of some error he has detected, or makes some suggestion to assist the court. Ami'eus Plato, sedmagis ami'ea Ter'itas (Plato I love, but I love Truth more). A noble dictum attributed to Aristotle, but certainly a very free translation of a phrase in the Nicomache’an Ethics (“ Where both are friends, it is right to prefer Truth ”). Am'iel (8 syl.). A form of the name Eliam { friend of God). In Dryden’s satire of Absalom and Achitophel it is meant for Sir Edward Seymour, Speaker of the House of Commons. (2 Sam. xxii. 34.) “ WLio can Aniiel’.s praise refuse? Of ancient race l>y birtli, t)Ut nobler yet In bis own worth, and without title great. The Sanhedrim long time as chief he ruled. Their reason guided and their passion cooled.” Driiden ; Absalom and Achitophel, i. Am'iens (3 syl.). The Peace of Amiens, March 27, 1802, a treaty signed by Joseph Bonaparte, the Marquis of j Cornwallis. Azara, and Schimmelpen- ninck, to settle the disputed points ' between Era.nce, England, Spain, and Holland. It was dissolved in 1803. Ami'na. An orphan adopted by a : miller, and beloved by Elvi'no, a I’ich farmer. The night before her espousals ! she is found in the bed of Count Ro- dolpho, and is renounced by her be- trothed husband. The count explains to the young farmer and his friends that Ami'na is innocent, and has wandered I in her sleep. While he is still talking, the orphan is seen getting out of the I window of the mill, and walking in her I .sleep along the edge of the roof under](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b24851267_0054.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
