Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-05-27

ORIGIN OF SOME CURIOUS WORDS, PHRA.
sEs AND CUsToMs.-The word humbug is a
corruption Of Hamburger. At one time du.
ring war on the continent of Europe, so many
false reports were fabricated at Hamburger
that finally when any one wished to show his
disbelief of statement he would say, "That
came from Hamburgh," or "That is Ham
burgh, or Hum5ug," which thus came to i'm.
ply unbelief or incredulity.
The word lady is derived from an Anglo
Saxon word and signifies giver of bread. 1t
originated from the custom which prevailed
among the wealthy English people of early
times of distributing money and food to the
poor. Certain days were set apart for this
distribution, which were called lady-days, or
gift-days. The word purse meant a recepta-
Gle for arms, and was not intended to mean
simply place of safety for money.
Gloves were introduced into England in
the tenth century, but we're only used by the
wealthy people and were considered very
valuable. As New. Years gifts they were
quite popular, or sometimes "glove-money" in
place OF them. "Pin-money" originated in
somewhat the same manner Pins were so
costly that money spent or laid away for them
was called "pin money" and it became so i'm
portant that it grew into the name of douer,
which was settled upon the lady at her mar
riage.
Ottar of roses was discovered by accident
The wife of an Eastern mogul had small
canal Of rosewater, and, as she was walking
one day upon its banks, she noticed thin
film upon the water, which proved to be an
oil made by the heat of the sun. The Egyp-
tians were very famous in the manufacture Of
perfumes, and at the Museum at Alnwick
there is some ointment preserved in an ala
baster vase which still has very powerful
odor, Notwithstanding it must be between two
and three thousands years old. The word
hermit comes frcm Greek word, meaning a
desert place, because deserts were generally
sought in order to avoid persecution.
Sandwiches were named from Lord Sand.
wich. it is related of him that one day in
gambling house, being very much fascinated
by play, for twenty-five hours he was uncon-
scious of fatigue and hunger, when suddenly
becoming aware of them, be ordered some
food to be brought, which proved to be some
beef and two slices of bread. Placing them
together he ate them. His friends gave them
the name of sandwiches, and in his memento
he declared this act to be the most important
one of his administration.
The origin of electing members by ballots
came from the Grecians When member
was to be elected, each member threw small
crumb of bread into basket carried by
servant on his head and whoever differed fiat
tened the pellet at one side. Fortnight comes
from the Anglo,Saxons, who counted time by
night and means fourteen-night.
Merry pin n cans merry mood, and origina-
ted in the custom of dividing taukards from
each other by pegs or pins, and obliging each
other to drink precisely to the next pin. 1t
proved to be more than some Of them could
bear, and thus came the expression, "He is in
a merry pin"
The invention Of the game of chess is
claimed by the Chinese and the Hindoos, with
more authority in favor of the latter. The
Hindoo version is as follows: A certain Hin
doc prince oppressed bis people in most
cruel manner, and Nassir, a Brahmin, deeply
grieved at their sorrows, determined to try if
he could not prevail upon the prince to be