THE

ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM,

OR, PORTFOLIO OF

ORIGINS AND INVENTIONS;

RELATING TO

LANGUAGE, LITERATURE, AND

GOVERNMENT;

ARCHITECTURE AND SCULPTURE;
DRAMA, MUSIC, PAINTING, AND

SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES;

ARTICLES OF DRESS, &c.

TITLES, DIGNITIES, &c.;

EPITHETS AND PHRASES;

REMARKABLE CUSTOMS;

GAMES, FIELD SPORTS;

SEASONS, MONTHS, AND DAYS OF THE WEEK;
REMARKABLE LOCALITIES, &c. &c.

BY WILLIAM PULLEYN.

THE THIRD EDITION, REVISED AND IMPROVED,

BY MERTON A. THOMS.

LONDON:

WILLIAM TEGG AND CO., 85, QUEEN STREET,
CHEAPSIDE.

1853.

M'CORQUODALE AND CO., PRINTERS, LONDONWORKS, NEWTON.

INTRODUCTION.

To collect into a focus a series of Origins and Etymologies that lay scattered through various publications, ancient and modern,— to place within the reach of all what hitherto could only be procured by the few, to instruct the rising generation,—to amuse the curious of all ages, and to save trouble to the antiquary, a mass of interesting and instructive matter has been concentrated within the small compass of this volume; and which the Compiler unhesitatingly submits to the public, with the conviction, that should it be found below their praise, it will, nevertheless, remain undeserving of their censure.

PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION.

THE title-page of this volume explains with sufficient distinctness the object with which it was originally undertaken. This was to collect into one body notices of the most remarkable Origins, Inventions, Localities, Titles, Dignities, Etymologies, Epithets, and Colloquial Phrases, &c.; and to give such accounts of them as were to be found in the best writers on these different subjects.

That such a Compendium of Amusing Knowledge was wanted, has been proved by the sale of two large editions. A Third being now called for, advantage has been taken of that circumstance to correct those numerous trifling errors which were scarcely to be avoided in the first impressions of a work consisting of so vast a number of minute facts and dates; and although it cannot be hoped that the present edition is entirely free from such small blemishes, it is believed that, by the correction of many of them, and by the addition of much new and interesting matter, it appears with increased claims to the favourable consideration of the Public.