Phrases and names, their origins and meanings / by Trench H. Johnson.

  • Johnson, Trench H.
Date:
[1906]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Phrases and names, their origins and meanings / by Trench H. Johnson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    41/400 (page 29)
    Beauclerc. The surname of Henry I., on account of his accomplishments in an age when learning was rare. Beckenham. The home in the vicinity of becks or brooks. The Saxon terminal en expresses the plural. Bedad. An Irishman’s exclamation, derived from the English “ Begad ” or “ By Gad.” Bedford. From the Anglo-Saxon Bedican-ford, the pro- tected ford over the Ouse. Bedfordbury. The bury or enclosed land of the Duke of Bedford. Bedford Street and Bedford Square like- wise point to the great ground landlord. Bedlam. Short for Bethlehem Hospital, a “ Lazar House ” in South London which in 1815 was converted into an asylum for lunatics. See “ Bethlehem.” Bedouins. From the Arabic badawiy, “dwellers in the desert.” Beech Street. Said to have been the property of Nicholas de la Beech, Lieutenant of the Tower, temp. Edward III. Beefeaters. Although it has been proved that the word Buffetier cannot be met with in any old book, the Yeomen of the Guard instituted by Henry VII. certainly waited at the royal table, and since this monarch was largely imbued with French manners, his personal attendants must after all have received their nickname from the Buffet, or sideboard. Beer Bible. From the words “the beer” in place of “ strong drink ” (Isaiah xxiv. 9). Before the Mast. The for’ard part of a ship, where, in the forecastle, the sailors have their quarters. Hence a common seaman is said to “Serve before the Mast.” Begad. See “By Gad.” Begorra. An Irish form of the English corrupted oath Begad or “By Gad.” Beguines. An order of nuns in France, from the French beguin, a linen cap. These nuns are distinguished by their peculiar head covering.