Hans, a simple-minded boy of five and twenty, in love with Esther, but too shy to ask her in marriage. He is a “Modus” in a lower social grade; and Esther is a “cousin Helen,” who laughs at him, loves him, and teaches him how to make love to her and win her.—S. Knowles, The Maid of Mariendorpt (1838).
Hans, the pious ferryman on the banks of the Rhine.—Sir W. Scott, Anne of Geierstein (time, Edward IV.).
Hans (Adrian), a Dutch merchant killed at Boston.—Sir W. Scott, Peveril of the Peak (time, Charles II.).
Hans of Iceland, a novel by Victor Hugo (1824). Hans is a stern, savage, Northern monster, ghastly and fascinating.
Hans von Rippach [Rip.pak], i.e. Jack of Rippach. Rippach is a village near Leipsic. This Hans von Rippach is is a “Mons. Nong-tong-pas,” that is, a person asked for, who does not exist. The “joke” is to ring a house up at some unseasonable hour, and ask for Herr Hans von Rippach or Mons. Nongtongpas.
Hanson (Neil), a soldier in the castle of Garde Doloureuse.—Sir W. Scott, The Betrothed (time, Henry II.).
Hanswurst, the “Jack Pudding” of old German comedy, but almost annihilated by Gottsched, in the middle of the eighteenth century. He was clumsy, huge in person, an immense gourmand, and fond of vulgar practical jokes.
⁂ The French “Jean Potage,” the Italian “Macaroni,” and the Dutch “Pickel Herringe,” were similar characters.
Hapmouche (2 syl.), i.e. “fly-catcher,” the giant who first hit upon the plan of smoking pork and neats’ tongues.—Rabelais, Pantagruel, ii. 1.
Happer or Hob. the miller who supplies St. Mary’s Convent.