Eat Dirt. An Americanism for a confession of penitence or absolute defeat in an argument.
Eat Humble Pie. In the days of sumptuous banquets of venison the lords of the feast reserved to themselves the flesh of the deer. The huntsmen and retainers had to be content with the heart, liver, and entrails, collectively called the “umbles,” which were made into monster pies.
Eat my own Words. To take them back again, to retract a statement.
Eaton Square. From Eaton Hall, near Chester, the seat of the Duke of Westminster, the ground landlord.
Eau de Cologne. A scent prepared at Cologne. The city itself is not sweet to the nostrils; it has been said that forty different smells may be distinguished there.
Eavesdropper. A corruption of Eavesdripper, one who, listening under the eaves of a house, caught the drips from the roof when it chanced to be raining.
Ebro. After the Iberi, who spread themselves over the country from the banks of this river. See “[Iberia].”
Ebury Square. From the ancient manor of Eabury Farm, inherited by Mary Davies, and which, by her marriage, passed into the possession of the Grosvenor family.
Eccleston Square. From Eccleston, Cheshire, the country seat of the Grosvenors.
Ecuador. Expresses the Spanish for Equator.