Phrases and Names Their Origins and Meanings : 'I' (영어 이름과 표현의 의미와 유래)

Iambic Verse. Poetical satires written in Iambics, or two-syllable foot measure, were originally so called after Iambe, an attendant upon one of the queens of Sparta, who kept a commonplace book of lively, free, and satirical pieces.

Iberia. The ancient name of Spain, from the Iberi, its original inhabitants. These were maritime adventurers from Phœnicia who penetrated the country by 155way of the River Ebro. When in course of time the Celts descended upon them from the Pyrenees, they spread themselves to the south and west. On reaching the sea at the farthest limit of their wanderings they imagined themselves at the end of the world, and so gave the name of Iber, a Phœnician word of that import, to the country. Its principal eastern river, the Ebro, retains the original name.

Iceland. So called because its north and west coasts are generally blocked with ice that has drifted down from Greenland.

Iceland Moss. A lichen indigenous to Iceland and Greenland which is said to be very efficacious in the treatment of consumption.

Ice Plant. Found in South Africa, and so called on account of its glittering, watery vesicles which give it the appearance of being covered with ice.

Ich Dien. German for “I serve.” The motto assumed by Edward the Black Prince after he found it under the plume of John, King of Bohemia, slain by him at the battle of Cressy.

Iconoclast. An image breaker, from the Greek eikon, image, and klazo, I break.

Idolater. From the Greek eidolon, a figure, and latres, worshipper. The root of this word, eidein, to see, furnishes the key to its true meaning. An idolater is one who worships that which he sees, not on account of its intrinsic worth, but because it is a visible representation, or it may be merely a symbol, of the deity that he is taught to venerate.

Idol Lane. Said to be a corruption of Idle Lane, because this was perhaps the only thoroughfare in the neighbourhood not given up to business--i.e. either as a market or a hive of industrious artisans.

Il Bassano. See “Bassano.”

Il Furioso. The sobriquet of Jacopo Robusti, better known as “Tintoretto,” owing to the rapidity with which he turned out his wonderful paintings.

Iliad. The title of Homer’s epic treating of the destruction of Troy; originally called Illium, after Ilos, the founder of the city.

I’ll be through directly. An Americanism for “I’ll be ready very soon,” or “I’ll have it finished directly.”

Illinois. The Indian illini, men, with the French suffix oix, a tribe.

I’ll take my Davy on it. The word “Davy” is a corruption of “affidavit.”

Il Perugino. The better-known name of the celebrated Italian artist Pietro Vanucci, who, born at Citta della Pieve in Umbria, established himself and remained all his life in the neighbouring city of Perugia.

Il Tintoretto. See “Tintoretto.”

Imperial. The name given to the once fashionable chin tuft, after Napoleon III., who was the first to wear his beard in this diminutive fashion.

In a Crack. Done instantly, in no more time than it takes for a gun to go off.

In a Jiffy. The word “jiffy” is a corruption of the now obsolete gliff--i.e. a mere glance.

Inch of Candle. In some parts of the country land is still disposed of at auction by inch of candle. This was the ancient form of auctioneering. Candles of inch length were provided, and when the candle went out the bidding was closed.

Inchcolm. Expresses the inch or isle of St Columba, who dwelt here while labouring to convert the Picts to Christianity.

In Clover. In a contented frame of mind because provided with everything necessary for the time being. Cattle always make for the clover when turned out to graze.

Incog. Short for Incognito, an Italian word signifying “not known.” Royal personages desirous of avoiding ceremony often travel incog., or under an assumed title.

Independence Day. The fourth of July, in commemoration of the American Declaration of Independence, 1776.

Independents. The same as “Congregationalists.”

India. From the Indus or Hindus, a Persian corruption of the Sanskrit Sindhu, “great river.” By the Greeks this river was known as the Hindus, which with the Persian suffix stan gave the name “Hindustan” to the whole country. In the time of Columbus, and long afterwards, the Asiatic continent east of the Ganges was generally styled India. This accounts for such names as “Indian Ink,” etc., products really of the Far East.

Indiana. From the great number of Indians that overran this state in the early days of its history.

Indianapolis. The capital of the state of Indiana. Polis is Greek for city.

Indian Corn. Maize, brought from the West Indies.

Indian File. A march in single file, as is the custom of the North American Indians.

Indian Gift. A reclaimed present. When a North American Indian gives anything he expects a gift equivalent in value, or else his own back again.

Indian Ink. Originally brought from China, but now made from lamp-black and animal glue in England. See “India.”

Indian Liquor. See “Indian Whisky.”

Indian Reservation. A considerable tract of land on the plains reserved for the Indian tribes.

Indians of North America. When Columbus discovered the “New World” he was under the impression that he had happened on that vast tract of country east of the Ganges vaguely known as India. This shows that, sailing westward as he did, he must have regarded the earth as a globe.

Indian Summer. The equivalent of what is called St Martin’s Summer in England. The North American Indians always avail themselves of the pleasant weather during the early part of November for harvesting their corn; they say there is an unfailing nine days’ second summer just before the winter sets in.

Indian Whisky. The name given to specially adulterated whisky for sale to the Indians of North America.

India Paper. A special kind of paper, made of vegetable fibre in China and Japan, on which the first impressions, called India proof, of engravings are taken. See “India.”

India Proof. See “India Paper.”

India-rubber. Caoutchouc, first imported from China, but now found elsewhere. See “India.”

India-rubber Railway Sandwich. The typical refreshment-room sandwich, the bread slices of which are as a rule so stale that they defy hasty mastication.

Indigo. A blue dye prepared from the Indicus, or Indian plant.

Industrial Schools. Also known as Ragged Schools, of which the scholars are waifs and strays brought together for the acquirement of some useful industry.

Infra. Latin for below, beneath. A word very generally met with in library catalogues: “See Infra.” It is the antithesis of Supra, above.

Infra Dig. Short for Infra Dignitatem, which expresses the Latin for “beneath one’s dignity.”

Infant. In law, any person under the age of twenty-one.

Infanta. The title of princesses of the royal blood in Spain and Portugal, except the heiress-apparent.

Infante. The corresponding title of the sons of the kings of Spain and Portugal.

Infant Roscius. William Henry Betty, the celebrated boy actor, named after the greatest historian of antiquity. His public career was brief--viz. five years only, 1803-1808--but during that period he became the rage; so much so, that while at Covent Garden, where he received a salary of fifty guineas a night, the military had to be called out to maintain order.

Infantry. Foot soldiers, so called, not because, like children, they have to be trained to walk, but for the reason that one of the Infantes of Spain collected a body of armed men, unmounted, to rescue his father, the King, from captivity at the hands of the Moors. Afterwards foot soldiers in Spain and Italy received the name of Enfanteria.

Infirmary. The older and more correct description of an institution for the sick and infirm. See “Hospice.”

Inn. The Anglo-Saxon word Inne expressed a mansion. The Inns of Court were originally the town houses of noble families, whose name they still bear--e.g. Gray’s Inn. Our first inns set apart for the entertainment of travellers were in all cases the mansions of the nobility left in charge of the trusted servant, the gamekeeper, during the prolonged absence, either in the wars at home or in the Crusades abroad, of their owners. The family arms served as a sign. After the return of his master the servant, now an innkeeper, set up an inn of his own contiguous to the original, and adopted the same sign. Here we have an explanation of such grotesque inn signs--now that their names have taken the place of the painted device--as the Blue Boar, the Red Lion, etc. At times the innkeeper preferred the sign of the “Green Man.”

Innocents’ Day. December 28th, commemorating the massacre of the Holy Innocents by Herod. Anciently children were soundly whipped in their beds before rising on this day. Being undeserving of such punishment, they were taught to suffer pain for Christ’s sake.

Inns of Court. See “Inn.”

In Quad. This is not altogether thieves’ slang, though the gipsy word for prison is quaid. Boys at our public schools say they are “in quad” when they are confined to their own quadrangle. The phrase became popular in connection with a prison when debtors were confined in the Fleet, the Marshalsea, and Whitecross Street, because they were free to receive visitors in the exercise court or quadrangle.

Insect. From the root seco, to cut, because this tiny species of the animal world is, as it were, cut deeply into three distinct parts: the head, thorax, and abdomen.

Interlaken. The Swiss village situated “between the lakes” Brienz and Thun.

In the Jug. Slang for “in prison.” The term is derived from the Scottish joug, a kind of iron yoke or pillory for the head designed for the punishment of rogues and vagabonds. When at a later period a round house of stone was set up in the market-place for such offenders, this earliest prison was popularly called “The Stone Jug.”

In the Nick of Time. This expression originated in the nicks or notches made in a piece of wood called a Tally, both as an acknowledgment of money paid and by way of registering a person’s arrival at a place of assembly. If, in the latter case, he arrived late, his tally would not be nicked, as evidence of having put in an appearance.

In the Odour of Sanctity. The ancient idea was that the bodies of saints after death emitted a peculiar fragrant odour. This originated in the profuse employment of incense at the administration of the last solemn rites of the Viaticum.

In the Soup. An Americanism for “out of the running.” This had reference originally to the hunting field when a rider was pitched into a ditch of foul water after leaping a hedge.

In the Stone Jug. See “In the Jug.”

In the Straw. An expression denoting that a woman has been brought to bed with a child. Straw was the usual stuffing of a bed formerly among the poorer orders of the people.

In the Suds. An Americanism for being unprepared to receive visitors. The allusion is to a washerwoman with her hands in the soapsuds.

In the Swim. To be admitted to a certain professional or financial clique. River fish generally keep together, and an angler’s object is to get what he calls “in the swim.” By so doing he may hook fish after fish without difficulty.

In the wrong Box. The origin of this expression is simply this: When Vauxhall, Cremorne, Ranelagh, Highbury Barn, and similar alfresco resorts were in existence, they had rows of cosy hutches or boxes all around for the benefit of those who wished to do their courting in private, while they could at the same time listen to the music and see the illuminations. It was no easy matter for anyone to find his own box again among the many if he left it; consequently on returning to his partner after sallying forth, he rendered his presence obnoxious to strangers by suddenly finding himself in the wrong box.

Intrepid Fox. A historic tavern in Soho named after Charles James Fox, the great Whig Minister. At the time of the famous election of 1784 the redoubtable Sammy House, the landlord, served all customers free, and also entertained several notable Whigs.

Invention of the Cross. The name of this Church festival, 3rd May, commemorative of the finding of the True Cross by those sent in quest of it by St Helena, sounds peculiar, but the word “invent” is really from the Latin invenire, to find, discover, come upon.

Inverary. The county town of Argyleshire, “at the mouth of” the River Aray.

Inverness. Situate at the mouth of the River Ness.

Invincibles. See “Irish Invincibles.”

Ionia. The ancient name of Asia Minor, settled by the Ionians, so called after Ion, the son of Apollo according to Greek fable.

Ionic. The style of architecture so called was peculiar to Ionia in Greece. The earliest of the Greek philosophers so called too were all natives of Ionia.

Iota. From the name of the smallest letter of the Greek alphabet. “Jot” is a softened form of this word.

Iowa. Indian for “the sleepy-ones”; applied by the Sioux to the Pahoja or Graysnow tribe.

Ireland. From Ierne, Gaelic for “western isle.” The Greeks, who heard of it through the Milesians, called this remote land of the west Iernis, and the Romans Hibernia.

Ireland Yard. This property in Blackfriars was made over by its owner, William Ireland, to Shakespeare, as appears in the deed of conveyance now preserved in the Guildhall Library.

Irish Invincibles. A secret society whose members made it their boast that they defied extermination. Carey, the informer, openly declared that their mission was “the making of history by killing tyrants.” The Phœnix Park murders were the work of the “Invincibles.”

Irishman’s Crossing. An Americanism for the mode of many people anxious to cut off corners by crossing and recrossing the street, by which process one’s way is actually made longer.

Irish Stew. So called because among the Irish peasantry the beef is generally absent, the stew consisting wholly of onions and potatoes.

Iron Chancellor. The sobriquet of Prince Bismarck, Chancellor of the German Empire, on account of his iron will.

Iron City. Pittsburg, world renowned for its ironworks.

Iron Devil. An inn sign corrupted from “The Hirondelle,” or swallow.

Iron Duke. The Duke of Wellington, distinguished for his unbending will.

Ironmonger Lane. Where the artificers in iron congregated during the reign of Edward I. Later they removed into Thames Street.

Ironside. The surname of the Anglo-Saxon king, Edmund II., on account of the iron armour that he wore as a preservative against assassination.

Ironsides. The name given to the Cromwellian soldiers on account of their heavy armour and iron resolution.

Irrawaddy. Hindoo for “the father of waters.”

Irving. The patronymic of the late Sir Henry Irving was Brodribb. When he went on the stage he took the name of Irving, out of his admiration of the writings of the American author, Washington Irving. Half-a-century ago no one ever thought of entering the dramatic profession under his own name. Now that the stage has become fashionable actors need no longer be actuated to select a nom de theatre out of regard to family pride.

Irvingites. The followers of the Rev. Edward Irving, who maintained the sinfulness of Christ’s nature in common with that of ordinary mankind. Deposed from his living by the Presbytery of the Church of Scotland in 1830, he founded the “Apostolic Catholic Church.”

Isabel. The name given to a yellowish brown colour from the circumstance that at the memorable siege of Ostend in 1601 Isabella, the wife of the Duke of Austria, vowed she would not change her linen until the town was taken. Unhappily for her, it held out nearly three years. Rash vows are always followed by leisurely repentance.

Isis. From the Celtic uisg, water. The word enters into many English river names, notably the “Thames.” The University of Oxford is called Isis from the river upon which it stands.

Islam. From the Arabic islama, to bend. This term expressed an entire submission or resignation to the will of God. By the Mohammedans “Islam” is described as the true faith.

Isle of Bourbon. A French settlement named in compliment to the House of Bourbon.

Isle of Desolation. When discovered by Captain Cook this island was utterly devoid of animal life.

Isle of Dogs. A corruption of “Isle of Ducks,” owing to the great numbers of water-fowl settled on the marshes. In our time it might well be described as the “Isle of Docks.”

Isle of Man. Properly “Mona Isle,” from the Celtic mæn, a stone; hence “Isle of Rocks.”

Isle of St Helena. Discovered on the Feast of St Helena, 1502.

Isleworth. Expresses a manorial dwelling beside the river. Sion House, in which Lady Jane Grey resided for a time, was built upon the ruins of an ancient nunnery. It is now the property of the Duke of Northumberland, who removed thither the famous lion on the top of the demolished Northumberland House at Charing Cross. The popular belief that when this lion heard the clock of St Martin’s Church strike it would wag its tail and turn round was on a par with that of the washing of the Tower lions on the first of April.

Islington. The family settlement of the Islings.

Is the Ghost walking? See “Ghost walking.”

Italics. Thin sloping types, altogether different from the older Roman, first used in an edition of Virgil by Aldo Manuzio, the celebrated printer of Venice, in 1207.

Italy. The modern form of the Roman description of the country, Latium, or “broad plain.” This resulted in the designation of all the tribes of the conquered districts as Latini, or the Latins.

Ivan the Terrible. Ivan IV., son of the founder of the Russian Empire, who rose to power from the position of Grand Duke of Moscow. This second Ivan, at the age of fourteen, during the regency of his mother, had the triumvirate put to death; whereupon he assumed the title of Czar. His reputation for cruelty soon began to assert itself. In the space of six weeks he caused to be put to death no less than 25,000 (some authorities say 60,000) persons at Novogorod, from the idea that they were plotting to deliver up that city to the King of Poland. To crown all, in a fit of passion he killed his own son.

Ivory Black. A pigment originally obtained from calcined ivory, but now from bone.

Ivy Lane. From the ivy-covered houses of the prebendaries attached to St Paul’s Cathedral.

 

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