Hell and Tommy, utter destruction.
Helter-skelter, anyhow, without regard to order or precedence.
Hempen cravat, the hangman’s noose.
Hen and Chickens, large and small pewter pots.
Hen-pecked, said of one whose wife “wears the breeches.” From the action of the hen in paired cage-birds.
Herring-pond, the sea; “to be sent across the HERRING-POND,” to be transported.
Hiding, a thrashing. Webster gives this word, but not its root, HIDE, to beat, to flay by whipping. Most likely from the part attacked. The threat of thrashing is sometimes conveyed thus:—“I’ll tan (or dress) your HIDE.”
Higgledy-piggledy, confusedly, all together,—as pigs lie.
High and dry, an epithet applied to the soi-disant “orthodox” clergy of the last century, for whom, while ill-paid curates did the work, the comforts of the Establishment were its greatest charms.
“Wherein are various ranks, and due degrees,
The Bench for honour, and the Stall for ease.”