Исторический английский фразеологический словарь
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America. After Amerigo Vespucci, a Florentine adventurer, who chanced to be at Seville when Columbus was preparing for his second voyage to the West. With Ojeda, Vespucci embarked upon an independent expedition. Subsequently he made further voyages in Portuguese ships, and discovered the Bay of All Saints. His remaining days were spent in the service of the 12King of Spain, preparing charts and prescribed routes to the New World. Although these official publications bore his signature, Vespucci never claimed to have discovered the great Western Continent. A wonderful narrative of his voyages, however, purporting to have been written by Vespucci, found its way into the hands of Martin Waldseemuller of Freiburg, Baden. This he translated, and caused it to be published by a bookseller at St Die in Lorraine in 1507. In his preface to the work Waldseemuller suggested that the newly discovered country should be called America, after the author, who had visited it. Hence the name really originated in Germany.
American Indians. See “Indians.”
Americanism. A coined word or phrase in the United States which, freely repeated, tickles the popular ear and soon becomes engrafted upon the national vocabulary. Many Americanisms are now as common in England as in the land of their origin. The term may also be applied to such American deviations from British custom, as the substitution of “Depot” for Railway Station, “News-stand” for Bookstall, “On the street” for “In the street,” etc. etc.
Amiens. From the Latin ambiens, surrounded by water. Three branches of the River Somme run through the city.
Ammonites. The descendants of Ben-ammi, the son of Lot (Gen. xxix. 38).
Among the Gods. At the time when the expression first came into use, the ceiling of Drury Lane Theatre was embellished with classical deities disporting themselves among the clouds in an azure sky.
Among the Missing. An Americanism for an absentee. When a person wishes to be “out” to a visitor, he tells the servant that he prefers to be “among the missing.”
Amorica. The country of the Armorici, “dwellers on the sea.”
Ampthill Square. From Ampthill Park, Bedfordshire, one 13of the seats of the ground landlord, the Duke of Bedford.
Amsterdam. The town built on the dam of the Amstel.
Amwell Street. After one of the wells in Hertfordshire, whose waters were drawn upon by Sir Hugh Myddleton for the New River.
Anabaptists. Conformably to the Greek ana, twice, the designation of the original Baptists, who, having been baptised at birth, went through the ceremony a second time on reaching maturity.
Anacreon Moore. The sobriquet of Thomas Moore, who translated the Odes of Anacreon, and constructed his own verses on the same classic model.
Anatolia. The Turkish and Greek description of Asia Minor, from anatolie, east–i.e. of Constantinople.
Ancient. Iago is described as Othello’s “ancient.” Even in Shakespeare’s day this word was a corruption of ensign, or standard-bearer.
Ancient Lights. After having enjoyed the light of a window on his premises for twenty years uninterruptedly a person may, subject to displaying the notice “ancient lights,” prevent that light from being intercepted by any other building.
Ancona. From the Greek agkon, elbow, relative to its position on an angle of the coast.
Andalusia. Properly Vandalusia, the country of the Vandals.
Andes. From the Peruvian anta, copper.
Andrea Ferrara. A world-famous Italian sword blade made by Andrea of the city of Ferrara.
Angel. An inn sign, originally the “Angel and Salutation,” depicting the visit of the angel who announced to the Virgin that she was to be the mother of the Redeemer.
Angelic Doctor. One of the sobriquets of St Thomas Aquinas, universally regarded as “The Angel of the Schools.” He is said also to have written much on the nature of angels.
14Anglesea. Properly Anglesey, expressing, from the point of view of the Celtic inhabitants of Wales, the ey, or island of the Angles.
Anglesea Morris. After William Morris, who caught this species of fish off the Isle of Anglesea.
Angola. Wool brought from Angola on the West Coast of Africa.
Angostura Bitters. Prepared from the celebrated medicinal bark discovered by Capuchin monks in the Venezuelan city Angostura, which name signifies a strait.
Anguilla Island. West Indian for “Little Snake,” from its shape.
Anisette. A cordial prepared from aniseed.
Annunciator. An Americanism for bell or gong.
Antarctic Ocean. That situate anti, opposite to, the Arctic Ocean.
Antelope State. Nebraska, from the number of antelopes found there.
Anthem. A hymn sung by the entire congregation, as distinguished from Antiphone, which term expresses a series of choral responses.
Antigua. Expresses the Spanish for an ancient city.
Antwerp. In French Anvers, the Antverpia of the Romans.
Any. An Americanism for “at all”–e.g. “It didn’t trouble me any.”
Apache State. Arizona, the scene of many bloodthirsty encounters with the wild Apaches.
Apennines. The Pennine Alps, from the Celtic ben, which is the same as the Welsh pen, summit or mountain head.
Apollinaris Water. Brought from the famous mineral spring in the valley of the Ahor of the Rhine province. The ruins of a temple of Apollo gave the name to the spot.
Apothecary. The old name for a dispenser of medicines. The Greek word really implies a storehouse or depository; 15it is compounded out of apo, to put away, and theke, chest, box. Differing from modern chemists and druggists, licentiates of the Apothecaries’ Company may visit the sick and prescribe for them, as well as make up physicians’ prescriptions.
Appian Way. The construction of this famous road leading from Rome to Capua was commenced by Appius Claudius.
Apostle of Temperance. Father Mathew, the inveterate enemy of tipplers in the Emerald Isle of his time.
Apostles’ Creed. The whole summary of Christian Faith, according to the Apostles.
Apostolic Fathers. Those early doctors of the Church who, living in the first century after Christ, received their teaching from His disciples, if they did not actually enjoy personal communion with the Apostles.