All languages English Tiếng Việt
Virginia. Every Act of Parlia- ment up to the Declaration of Independence designated Virginia "the Colony and Dominion of Virginia." Captain John Smith, in his His- tory of Virginia (1629), calls this "colony and dominion" Quid Virginia, in contradistinction to New England, and other British settlements.
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
an older person, often considered out of touch
A former romantic partner
A person, typically older, who is perceived as being old-fashioned or conservative
The 87th Foot, the Royal Irish Fusiliers, so called from the war-cry "Fag-an-Bealach" (Clear the way), pronounced Faug-a-bolla%h.
A person one has known for a long time
The United States Flag. See STARS AND STRIPES.
The Imperial Guard created by Napoleon in 1804 and composed of picked men, the flower of the French army. Devoted to the Emperor, with a magnificent uniform including a huge bearskin hat, with better pay and rationing than the rest of the army, the Old Guard were to be relied upon in any des- perate strait of battle, and it was they who made the last charge of the French at Water- loo.
An experienced person
A composition used by vintners to adulterate their wines; also the nick-name for the devil.
Something that is outdated or no longer interesting
Someone with a mature and responsible attitude despite their young age
salt junk
A term of endearment, originally an Americanism, but now in common use here among friends.
The Bank of England.
In American merchant ships, the master. The phrase is becoming common in English ships.
Hassan-ben- Sabah, the sheikh Al Jebal, and founder of the sect called Assassins
In the Arabian Nights story of Sinbad the Sailor, the Old Man of the Sea hoisted himself on the shoulders of Sin- bad and clung there for many days and nights, much to the discomfort of Sinbad, who finally released himself by making the Old Man drunk. Hence, any burden, figurative or actual, of which it is impossible to free oneself without the greatest exertions is spoken of as an Old Man of the Sea.
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
GORY. A piece of gold.
The Devil: from NEKEN, the evil spirit of the north.
The Devil. The term was in use in the 17th century, and is perhaps connected with the German Nickel, a goblm (see NICKEL), or in some forgotten way with St. Nicholas. Butler's derivation from Nicholas Machiavelli is, of course, poetical licence : — Nick Machiavel had ne'er a trick (Though he gives name to our old Nick) But was below the least of these.
The Devil. Likewise an expression of quizzical familiarity, as "how d'ye do, OLD ONE?"
Poor Yorkshire cheese, made of skimmed milk.
syphilis
An experienced sailor
a common proverb or saying
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
Literally a necktie of the colours of the wearer's public school, but more often used figuratively m a pejorative sense as a symbol of the class distinction allegedly assumed by those who went to a public school.
Probably from the personal name (cp. Old Nick), but perhaps with some allusion to the word harry, meaning to plunder, harass, lay waste, from which comes the old harrow, as in the title of the 14th-century estrif, or miracle-play, The Harrowing of Hell.
a familiar or tedious story
An experienced person, especially in a particular profession or activity
a close and loyal friend
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
A familiar mode of address between friends.
Extra strong gin; sometimes termed CAT’S WATER. Various reasons are given for the use of the words OLD TOM. The distillers have the sign of a tom cat on their illuminated placards. The origin of the phrase is, however, in the fact that the managing clerk of a once celebrated "gin-spinning" firm, who was known as OLD TOM, used to keep a special bottle of extra good stuff with which to regale customers when they settled their accounts. To get a drink of OLD TOM’S was then a great favour.
Something old or familiar presented as new or innovative
One's wife.
So Europe, Asia, and Africa are called when compared with North and South America (the New World).
A style or appearance that is outdated or traditional
A horn long in the possession of the reigning princes of the House of Olden- burg, but now in the collector!
very old
The moon; "OLIVER don’t widdle," i.e., the moon does not shine. Nearly obsolete.
Sir Roger L'Estrange (1616- 1704). So called because he, at one time, was playing a fiddle or viol with others m the house of John Kingston, the composer, when Cromwell was one of the guests.
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
A country apothecary. From George Coleman’s comedy of The Poor Gentleman.
The name of one of the principal rogues of the canting crew. CANT.
A statue by Phidias, one of the "Seven Wonders of the World." Pausamas (vii, 2) says when the sculptor placed it in the temple at Olympia (433 B.C.), he prayed the god to indicate whether he was satisfied with it, and immediately a thunder- bolt fell on the floor of the temple without doing the slightest harm.
The greatest of the four sacred festivals of the ancient Greeks, held at Olympia (q.v.) every fourth year, in the month of July. The festival began with sacrifices and included racing, wrestling, and all kinds of contests, ending on the fifth day with pro- cessions, sacrifices, and banquets to the victors — who were garlanded with olive leaves.
Hence, a cup- bearer generally. Nature waits upon thee still, And thy verdant cup does fill; 'Tis filTd wherever thou dost tread Nature's self's thy Ganymede. COWLEY: The Grasshopper (Anacreontics').
The Aga Khan's horse of this name won the Derby in 1935. Bail (Fr. bailler, to deliver up). Security given for the temporary release of an accused person pending his trial or the completion of his trial; also the person or persons giving sucfo security. See also LEG-BAIL.
A master or landlord; "the OMEE of the carsey’s a nark on the pitch," the master of the house will not let us perform. Italian, UOMO, a man; "UOMO DELLA CASA," the master of the house. Latin, HOMO.—Lingua Franca.
The Parliamentary term for a Bill embracing clauses that deal with a number of different subjects, as a Revenue Bill dealing with Customs, Taxes, Stamps, Excise, etc.
A box at a theatre for which the subscription is paid by several different parties, each of which has the right of using it.
An old name for a train that stops at all stations — a tram for all, as apart from the specials and the expresses that ran between only a few stations.
A collection in one volume of an author's works, of short stones, essays, etc.
The whole together: jocular imitation of law Latin.
Dog Latin for a gathering or collection of all sorts of persons and things; a miscellaneous gathering together without regard to suitability or order.
"to be ON," in public-house or vulgar parlance, is synonymous with getting "tight" or tipsy; "it’s St. Monday with him, I see he’s ON again," i.e., drunk as usual, or on the road to it. "I’m ON" also expresses a person’s acceptance of an offered bet. To GET ON a horse or a man is to make bets on it or him. "Try it ON," a defiant challenge to a person.