A slovenly woman who allows her skirts to draggle or trail in the mire of the street.
Dragoman. From the Turkish drukeman, an interpreter. A dragoman is in the East what a “Cicerone” is in Italy and elsewhere in Western Europe.
Dragoons. From the ancient musket called a dragon, or “spitfire.” The muzzle was embellished with a representation of a dragon.
Draper. One who dealt in cloth for draping only, as distinct from a mercer, milliner, or mantle-maker.
Drapers’ Gardens. The property of the Drapers’ Company, whose hall is situated here.
82Drat it. A corruption of “Odd rot it,” from the old oath, “God rot them.”
Drawer. The old name for an inn or tavern keeper’s assistant, who drew the beer from the casks.
Drawing-room. Originally “Withdrawing-room” to which the ladies withdrew after dinner while the gentlemen sat over their wine.
Draw it mild. Originally a tavern phrase, when anyone preferred ordinary ale to hot spiced liquor.
Draw the Long Bow. In allusion to the exaggerated skill of the English archers prior to the introduction of gunpowder.
Dress Circle. That portion of a theatre which, before the introduction of stalls, was set apart for the superior sections of the audience.
Dressed up to the Knocker. To the extreme height of his resources. Before the establishment of the modern police system door knockers were placed as high as possible to prevent them from being wrenched off by sportive wags after nightfall.
Dresser. The kitchen sideboard, on which the meat was dressed before serving it up in the dining-chamber. The collection of cups, plates, and dishes which distinguishes a dresser originally had a place on a wide shelf or board over this meat dresser; hence cup-board.
Drinks like a Fish. Ready to swallow any quantity of liquor that may be offered. A great many fish have their mouths wide open whilst swimming.
Drive a Bargain. An expression meaning to knock down the original price asked, in punning allusion to “driving” a nail.
Drop o’ the Crater. See “Mountain Dew.”
Druid. In the Celtic Derwydd, derived from dewr, oak, and gwydd, knowledge. A priest who worshipped and offered sacrifices under an oak.
83Drum. The name for a fashionable evening party of bygone days, from the noise made by the card players.
Drummers. An Americanism for commercial travellers, who are engaged in beating up trade.
Drunkard’s Cloak. A large wooden crinoline that hung from a drunkard’s neck to the ground, causing every bone in his body to ache owing to the weight resting on his shoulders. The instrument resembled an inverted flower pot, having a hole in the top for his head to be thrust through. Under this drastic treatment he soon became sober.
Drunk as a Fiddler. The fiddler was generally incapable of discoursing further music half way through the night’s jollification, because the dancers freely plied him with drink.
Drunk as a Lord. When George the Third was King, and long afterwards, the fine old English gentleman acted up to his character by using strong language and imbibing strong potations. To be “drunk as a lord” was the surest mark of gentility, and a “three bottle man” a pattern of sobriety. After dining it was considered no disgrace to roll helplessly under the table.
Drury Lane. From Drury House, the residence of Sir William Drury, temp. William III.
Dublin. From Dubh-linn, “black pool.”
Dub Up. An expression derived from the very general custom of dubbing or touching a man on the shoulder when arresting him for debt.
Ducat. Duke’s money, anciently struck in the Duchy of Apulia, Sicily.
Duchess Street. After Lady Cavendish, who became the wife of the second Duke of Portland.
Ducking Stool. An instrument for the punishment of scolding wives. This public ducking in a pond effectually served to cool their temper for the time being.
84Duck’s Foot Lane. Properly “Duke’s Foot Lane,” the footway leading from the town house of the Earls of Suffolk down to the Thames.
Dude. An American name for a fop, derived from a very old English word, “dudes,” whence we have the slang term “Duds,” for clothes.
Dudley. From the castle built by Dodo, a Saxon prince, and ley, “meadow.”
Duds. See “Dude.”
Dug-out. A Far West Americanism for a boat or canoe hewn out of a large tree log.
Dukeries. That portion of Nottinghamshire distinguished for the number of ducal residences, of which Welbeck Abbey is perhaps the most admired.
Duke Street. In Aldgate, after the Dukes of Norfolk. Near Smithfield, the ancient property of the Dukes of Brittany. In Grosvenor Square, after the Duke of Cumberland. Off Langham Place, after the Duke of Portland. Near Manchester Square, after the Duke of Manchester. In the Strand, after George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham.
Dulwich. The corruption of Dalewich, the village in the dale.
Duma. Russian for Parliament or popular representation.
Dumb Ox. One of the sobriquets of St Thomas Aquinas, from the silence with which he pursued his studies. His master, Albertus Magnus, however, predicted that “this dumb ox will one day fill the world with his bellowing.”
Dumping. A word which has come into prominence relative to Mr Chamberlain’s Fiscal Policy. In various forms the verb dump may be met with in Teutonic and Scandinavian tongues, meaning to “pitch down,” “throw down in a lump,” etc. etc. A “Dump Cart” in America is one that tilts up in front, and so “dumps” its load behind.
85Dun. A persistent creditor. After Joe Dun, a noted bailiff, who never failed to bring a debtor to book. People used to say: “Why don’t you Dun him for the debt?” meaning they would send Joe Dun to make him pay or arrest him.
Dunce. From John Duns Scotus, who, it is said, gave no proof of his remarkable attainments in his early scholastic days.
Dundee. A corruption of Duntay, the hill fort on the Tay.
Dunedin. See “Edinburgh.”
Dungeness. A corruption of Danger Ness, the Headland of Danger.
Dunkirk. Expresses the “Church in the Dunes,” or sand-hills, built by St Eloi in the seventh century.
Durham. A corruption of Dunholm, from its situation on a hill surrounded by the river.
Dusseldorf. The village on the Dussel.
Dutchman. A contemptuous epithet applied to our phlegmatic enemies during the wars with Holland.
Dyers’ Buildings. The site of an ancient almshouse of the Dyers’ Company.
E
Eagle. An inn sign, the cognisance of Queen Mary.
Earl
