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Things Not Generally Known: Irish
Humbug. A corruption of the Irish words "uim bog," pronounced "humbug,” signifying worthless money, such as was made by James II. at the Dublin Mint, 20s. of which was equal only to 2d. sterling. In time the word came to mean anything false or counterfeit. It has been wrongly attributed to Hamburg. Hurrah! A corruption of "Tur aie" (Thor aid), a battle-cry of the ancient Norsemen. Some authorities derive it from the Jewish "Hosannah." Formerly the word was spelt "huzza," and its pronounciation was "hurray." In one form or another it is common to almost every nation.
Irish Night. A night of terror in London, after the flight of James II., occasioned by an unfounded report that the Irish Catholics of Feversham's army had been let loose to murder the Protestant population.
Jeremy Diddler. A character in Kenny's farce of "Raising the Wind," where he is represented as a needy and seedy individual, always contriving by his songs, bon mots, or other expedients, to borrow money or obtain credit.
John Bull. This nickname is derived from the satire of Dr. Arbuthnot, representing the Englishman under that name as a bluff, kind-hearted and bull-headed farmer. In the minds of some it is associated with Dr. John Bull, organist to Queen Elizabeth, and a celebrated beth, and a celebrated musician. "Kick the Bucket." This term, meaning to die, alludes to the way in which a slaughtered pig is held up. The ends of a bent piece of wood, technically called a "bucket," are fastened behind the tendons of the hind legs in order to suspend the carcase. It has sometimes been said to have originated from a method of committing suicide by standing on a bucket, adjusting the noose, and then kicking the bucket away.
Lady. The word "lady" comes from the Saxon "hleafdian," contracted into "lafdy," and then into lady. In the original it means "bread-server," the feudal lord supplied the food, and the ladies served it.
Lady of England. A title conferred upon Matilda, daughter of Henry I. of England, and wife of Geoffrey Plantagenet, by a council held at Winchester, April 7, 1141.
Law's Bubble. A name given to a delusive speculation projected by John Law (1671-1729), a celebrated financier, and a native of Edinburgh. tablished a bank in France, by royal authority, composed of 1200 shares, of 3000 In 1716 he eslivres each, which soon bore a premium. This bank became the office for all public receipts, and there was annexed to it a Mississippi company, which had grants of lands in Louisiana ; and was expected to realize immense sums by planting and commerce. In 1718 it was declared a royal bank, and its shares rose to twenty times their original value , so that, in 1719, they were worth more than eighty times the amount of all the current specie in France. In 1720 the shares sank as rapidly as they had risen, nearly overthrowing the French Government, and occasioning great and widespread financial distress and bankruptcy.
Little Paris. A name given to the city of Milan, in Italy from its resemblance, in point of gaiety, to the French capital.
Little Queen. A soubriquet given to Isabella of Valois (1387-1410), who married Richard II., King of England, when but eight years old, and was left a widow when but thirteen.
Lothario. One of the dramatis personæ in Rowe's tragedy, "The Fair Penitent." His character is that of a libertine and a seducer, and has served as a prototype of that of many dramatic and romance heroes.
Lucifer. One of the names of the devil, being applied to him from an allegorical interpretation, by the church-fathers, of a passage in Isaiah xiv. 12, in which the King of Babylon is likened to the morning star.