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

 

 

Oak Apple Day. Another name for Royal Oak Day (29th May), when people formerly wore oak leaves or oak apples in their hats to commemorate the manner in which the partisans of Charles II. welcomed his return to England on his birthday, 1651. This was, of course, in allusion to his concealment in an oak-tree near Boscobel House, Shropshire, after the battle of Worcester, on 3rd September previous.

Oakley Square. After Oakley House, near Bedford, one of the country seats of the Duke of Bedford, the ground landlord.

Oaks Stakes. So called from a Lodge or Club-House built among the oaks by the Hunters’ Club, and afterwards converted into an inn, known as “Lambert’s Oaks,” after the name of its landlord.

Obiter Scripta. Latin for a thing written in passing, a note by the way.

Observants. The name borne by those monastic orders whose members adhere to the strict rule laid down by their pious founders in contradistinction to others styled “Conventuals,” who, like the secular clergy, take upon themselves the performance of parochial duties.

Obstropulous. A corruption of the word “obstreperous,” inclined to quarrelling.

Ocean Greyhound. A fast Atlantic steamer belonging to one of the great lines.

Octavo. A sheet of printing paper which, when folded and cut, makes eight leaves or sixteen pages.

October. The eighth month of the Roman calendar when the year began with March.

Octroi. The name given to a toll or tax levied upon market produce passing through the gates of a town. It comes from the Latin auctoritas, authority.

Odder. Colloquial for one who obtains a livelihood by doing odd jobs.

Oddfellows. This friendly society originated with five Manchester shoemakers who in 1812 were accustomed to meet after the day’s work. It having occurred to one of them how his family would fare if, through sickness, he should be unable to follow his occupation, and thinking it would be wise to make some provision against such a contingency, he proposed that each of them should subscribe a few pence weekly towards a common sick fund. The idea was at once taken up. They called themselves Oddfellows because they numbered five. Others soon joined the little society, and from these humble beginnings it grew into a powerful organisation.

Odd rot it. A perversion of the Crusaders’ curse: “God rot them!” meaning the Saracens, the enemies of Christianity.

Odds Bodkins. A perversion of “God’s Body,” in allusion to the Eucharist. This oath was not considered profane during the Ages of Faith.

Odds Fish. A favourite exclamation of Charles II. It was a corruption of “God’s Flesh,” or the Body of Christ.

Odds Splutter. A corruption of the Dutch oath Got’s plut, “God’s Blood,” introduced into England during the reign of William III.

Odd Zounds. A corruption of “God’s Wounds.” See “Zounds.”

Off Colour. To look pale and sickly.

Off the Hooks. An expression meaning “beyond hope of requisition for further service,” “completely done for,” whether on the score of chronic ill health, lunacy, or old age. This originally had reference to the Maypole stored away in Shaft Alley, Leadenhall Street, and perhaps other Maypoles elsewhere of post-Reformation days. As long as it rested “on the hooks” there was a likelihood of its being once more called into service. See “St Andrew Undershaft.”

Ohio. Indian for “beautiful.”

O.K. This arose out of an Irishman’s endorsement for goods passed by him, as he would have spelt out the words “Orl Korrect.”

Old Bags. The nickname of Lord Eldon, because he always carried about with him, in separate brief bags, the cases on which he had to pass judgment.

Old Bailey. From the Latin ballium, a rampart, through the French baille. The term “Bailey” expressed the open space or court between a castle and the embattlements. Seeing that Lud Gate stood in line with this street at its southern extremity, there must have been a keep or fortification behind the Roman Wall where the Sessions House came to be built. The name was therefore retained after the wall was demolished.

Old Bold Fifth. The 5th Fusiliers, which regiment has distinguished itself for valorous deeds in many campaigns.

Old Bond Street. See “Bond Street.”

Old Broad Street. With the exception of Cheapside, this was the widest thoroughfare in Old London, all the others being similar to what Old Change is at the present day. During Elizabeth’s reign Old Broad Street constituted the residence of the wealthiest citizens.

Old Buffer. The colloquial term for a short, thick-set elderly man, whose big paunch suggests a railway buffer.

Old Bullion. See “Bullion State.”

Old Burlington Street. See “Burlington Street.”

Old Carthusians. Old scholars of the “Charter House.”

Old Catholics. The followers in Germany of the late Dr Döllinger, who separated from the Roman Catholic Communion after the promulgation of the dogma of Papal Infallibility in 1870.

Old Cavendish Street. See “Cavendish Square.”

Old Change. So called from “The King’s Exchange,” where the bullion was anciently stored prior to being sent to the shearers or clippers at the neighbouring Mint. See “Sermon Lane.”

Old Charlies. See “Charlies.”

Old Christmas Day. Twelfth Day, because, according to the old style calendar, Christmas Day fell on what is now 6th January.

Old Compton Street. See “Compton Street.”

Old Dominion. Virginia, on account of its documentary description, “the Colony and Dominion of Virginia.”

Old England. This term was first applied to the Mother Country after the colonisation of New England in North America.

Old Fogey. A term derived from the Danish fjog, a stupid old man, one in his dotage.

Old Fox. The sobriquet of Marshal Soult on account of his strategic cunning.

Old Grog. The nickname of Admiral Edward Vernon, who always wore a grogram cloak in foul weather.

Old Harry. A corruption of “Old Hairy,” as applied to the Devil.

Oldham. Expresses the old home or settlement.

Old Hat. A country tavern sign which must have been the original when the same premises was devoted to some other business, in days characterised by the display of signs by tradesmen generally.

Old Hickory. “Hickory” is an Americanism used adjectively for anyone who is tough, obstinate, or hard, after the tree of the same name. General Andrew Jackson merited the nickname of “Old Hickory” from his own soldiers on account of his tough, unyielding disposition. Its origin is thus explained by Parton, the author of the President’s “Life”: “The name of ‘Old Hickory’ was not an instantaneous inspiration, but a growth. First of all, the remark was made by some soldier, who was struck with his commander’s pedestrian powers, that the General was tough. Next it was observed that he was as tough as hickory. Then he was called ‘Hickory.’ Lastly, the affectionate ‘Old’ was prefixed, and the General thenceforth rejoiced in the completed nickname, usually the first-won honour of a great commander.”

Old Jewry. The original Jewish quarter of the city of London. See “Jewin Street.”

Old Kent Road. The South London portion of the Roman highway to Dover.

Old Lady of Threadneedle Street. The popular name of the Bank of England. There is a tradition that towards the end of the eighteenth century a demented old lady wandered up and down Threadneedle Street day by day for a long period until she suddenly disappeared. It was generally assumed that this old lady of Threadneedle Street must have been waiting for someone who had passed into the Bank, and, according to her idea, never came out again. When, therefore, in 1797 the Bank threatened a temporary stoppage of payment, and one-pound notes were issued, John Gilray, the artist, published a caricature entitled “The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street in Danger.” Since that time the Bank has been colloquially referred to by this title.

Old Line State. Maryland, whose famous regiment, the Old Maryland Line, saved the prestige of the army when Lord Cornwallis’s Grenadiers broke the American lines at Loughland.

Old North State. North Carolina, from its relative position to South Carolina.

Old Paulines. Old scholars of St Paul’s School.

Old Pye Street. See “New Way.”

Old Quebec Street. Laid out and built upon soon after the capture of Quebec by General Wolfe in 1759.

Old Rep. Short for “Old Reprobate.”

Old Rowley. A sobriquet of Charles II., from the name of his favourite race-horse.

Old Rye. A United States term for old whisky distilled from rye.

Old Salt. An old sailor who has sniffed the brine of the ocean from his youth.

Old Scotland Yard. See “Scotland Yard.”

Old Soldiers. An Americanism for cigar-ends, because they are the remnants of the originals that have done good service.

Old Sport. An Americanism for a broken-down gambler.

Old Tom. The name first given to gin by Thomas Norris, who, after having long been employed in the distillery of Messrs Hodges, opened a gin palace in Covent Garden, and perpetuated the affectionate name of “Old Tom Chamberlain,” his former master.

Old Toughs. The nickname of the 103rd Foot, merited during the Indian Mutiny.

Old Woman. In stage parlance an actress who plays old women’s parts. A fine distinction is, however, drawn between “old women” and what are called “Aristocratic Old Women.”

On the Tapis. Tapis is French for a carpet; expressive also of the cloth or kind of tapestry which covered the table in the Council Chamber when French was the language spoken at the English Court.

On the Tenterhooks. To have one’s curiosity fully aroused; on the tiptop of expectation. The phrase has been derived from the mode of tentering or stretching cloth upon hooks after it is woven.

On the Tiptoe of Expectation. A phrase derived from the crowds awaiting a public procession. As soon as the music is heard everyone stands on tiptoe, and looks in the direction whence the sounds proceed.

Oof. A slang term for “money”; derived from the legendary “Oof Bird,” which from the Latin, ovum, an egg, traces its origin to the goose with the golden eggs.

Olive Branches. A man’s children are so designated from the Biblical simile in Psalm cxxviii. 3: “Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.”

Olla Podrida. A Spanish term for a mixture of meat and vegetables collected in a common pot for cooking as required. In a literary sense it signifies a miscellany of short productions. The French equivalent for the term is pot-pourri, which is also employed figuratively.

Omnibus. The dative Latin plural of omnes, all. In a public vehicle of this kind there is room for many, without class distinction.

One-horse. A term used adjectively for anything mean or insignificant. This figure of speech is derived from agriculture.

Oneida. Indian for “people of the beacon stone.”

Ontario. From the Indian Onontae, which expresses “the village on the mountain,” whence the tribe of the Onondagas derive their name.

On this Side of Jordan. An Americanism for “in this life” or “in this world.”

Opal. From the Sanskrit opula, through the Latin opalus, a precious stone.

Oporto. Portuguese for “the harbour.”

Orange Lilies. The 35th Foot, so called on account of the facings on their uniform.

Orangemen. The Protestants in the northern provinces of Ireland, so called on account of their adherence to William III., Prince of Orange, in opposition to the “Jacobites” or the adherents of the Stuart king, James II.

Orange Peel. One of the nicknames of Sir Robert Peel, owing to his strong anti-Catholic spirit. See “Orangemen.”

Orange River. This, the largest river in South Africa, received its name from the colour of its waters when in flood.

Orange River Free State. This name was given by the “Boers” to what is now British territory in South Africa because its early settlers were also emigrants from the principality of Orange in Holland. Its new title is the Orange River Colony.

Orange Street. In compliment to William III., Prince of Orange.

Orator Henley. The sobriquet of John Henley, an English divine who in 1726 attracted large and fashionable congregations in a so-called “Oratory” or chapel in Newport Market.

Oratorio. A term derived from the fact that the first sacred musical dramas or cantatas were performed in the Church of the Oratorians, which religious Order was founded by St Philip Nero at Rome in 1540.

Orchard Street. Off Portman Square, after Orchard Portman, one of the country seats of the Portmans in Somersetshire. At Westminster, from the ancient orchard belonging to the Abbey.

Orchestra. A Greek term applied to the place in the theatre allotted to the chorus of the dancers. Among the moderns it expresses the place assigned to the instrumentalists.

Orchid. From the Greek orchis, a testicle, which the root of this plant resembles.

Oregon. From the Spanish Oregano, “wild majorum,” which grows abundantly in this state.

Orellana. The original name of the “Amazon” River, after its navigator.

Oriel College. This college at Oxford was built in 1326 by Adam de Brome, the Almoner of Edward II., and called by him St Mary’s College. A few years later Edward III. added to its revenues a rich messuage hard by known as “Le Oriel,” from which circumstance the foundation received the name which it now bears.

Orinoco. Indian for “coiling snake.”

Orion Horne. One of the sobriquets of Richard Horne, author of “Orion,” which acquired an exceptional notoriety on account of its being published at the low price of one farthing.

Orkney Isles. Under the name of Orcades these are mentioned by the ancient geographers. Orkney is Gaelic for “Isle of Whales.”

Orleans. A corruption of Aureliani, after the Roman Emperor Aurelian.

Orloff Diamond. This gem, weighing 194 carats, and purchased by Catherine II. of Russia in 1775, preserves the family name of that Empress.

Orme Square. After the name of a printseller of Bond Street who bought the land and built upon it.

Orrery. After the Earl of Orrery, who first caused one to be made.

Osnaburg Street. Named in compliment to Frederick, Duke of York and Albany, the last sovereign-bishop of Osnaburg in Hanover.

Ossulton Street. See “Lisson Grove.”

Ostend. Literally the east end of Flanders in Belgium.

Ostler. From the French hostelier, an innkeeper.

Oswestry. A corruption of Oswaldstry, the “place of Oswald,” where Oswald, King of Northumbria, was slain in 642. Evidence of this is afforded by the original name of Oswald’s Well, which yields a spring of pure water.

Ottawa. Expresses the Indian for “traders.”

Ottoman Empire. That of the Turks, founded by Othman I. at the commencement of the fourteenth century.

Ouida. The pseudonym of Louise de la Ramée. This was suggested to her at the very commencement of her literary career by the infantile perversion of Louise into “Ouida.”

Ouse. From the Celtic uisg, water.

Out of Collar. Out of harness and the working habit. A horse has the collar slipped over its neck when put to work.

Out of Sorts. A technical phrase in the printing trade. “Sorts” are the different sizes and kinds of type used by a compositor. At times he runs short of “sorts,” so that the composition of the particular work in hand has to be suspended until the required sorts are obtained, either by distributing old matter put up in paper or sending to the typefounder’s for a new supply. Hence a person indisposed for work confesses to being “out of sorts.”

Ovidius Naso. See “Naso.”

Oxford. Cited in Domesday Book as Oxeneford. Literally a ford for the passage of oxen across the River Isis.

Oxford Blues. The Royal Horse Guards, from their dark blue uniforms and the circumstance that this regiment of horse was first raised by Aubrey, Earl of Oxford, soon after the Restoration.

Oxford Movement. The great Catholic revival in England, which, midway in the last century, resulted in the passing over of many of the most eminent Oxford scholars to the Church of Rome.

Oxford Street. After Edward Harley, Earl of Oxford and Mortimer, landlord of the estate north of this principal thoroughfare.

Oyez, Oyez. The old French ceremonial exclamation (“Hear ye, hear ye!”) to enjoin silence. This obtained in our own country when French was the language of the Court. In modern times it has been corrupted by Court criers and town bellmen into “O yes, O yes.”

Oyster Part. In theatrical parlance a part which contains only one line or speech; like an oyster, the actor opens his mouth but once.

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