Dominoes. A game invented by two French monks, who amused themselves with square, flat stones marked with spots. The winner declared his victory by reciting the first line of the Vesper service: “Dixit Dominus Domino Meo.” When, later, the game became the recreation of the whole convent, the Vesper line was abbreviated into “Domino,” and the stones themselves received the name of “Dominoes.”
Don. A corruption of the Celtic tain, river.
Donatists. A sect of the fourth century, adherents of Donatus, Bishop of Numidia.
Doncaster St Leger. The stakes at Doncaster races founded by Colonel Anthony St Leger in 1776.
Donegal. Gaelic for the “fortress of the west”--viz. Donegal Castle, held by the O’Donnels of Tyrconnel.
Donet. The old name for a Grammar, after Donatus, the grammarian and preceptor of St Jerome.
Donkey. An ass, from its dun colour.
Don’t care a Dam. When this expression first obtained currency a dam was the smallest Hindoo coin, not worth an English farthing.
Don’t care a Jot. See “[Iota].”
Doomster. The official in the Scottish High Court who pronounced the doom to the prisoner, and also acted as executioner. In Jersey and the Isle of Man a judge is styled a “Deemster.”