Lord Cranby
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
As he galloped at their head his hat and wig blew off, disclosing a completely bald head. Hence the expression, to go at a thing regardless of consequences.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “Lord Cranby” mean?
As he galloped at their head his hat and wig blew off, disclosing a completely bald head. Hence the expression, to go at a thing regardless of consequences.
Is “Lord Cranby” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.