Phrases and Names, Their Origins and Meanings

by Trench H. Johnson

Ethiopia. From the Greek aithein, to burn, and ops, the face. Hence “the country of the blacks.”

Etiquette. A French word for “label.” Formerly a ticket or card of instructions was handed to visitors on ceremonial occasions. Nowadays such rules as pertain to deportment or decorum are supposed to enter into the education of all well-bred persons.

Etna. From the Phœnician attuna, a furnace.

Eton. The Anglo-Saxon Eyton, “island town.”

Ettrick Shepherd. The literary sobriquet of James Hogg, the poet, of Ettrick, Selkirkshire.

Europe. From the Greek euros, broad, and ops, the face; literally “the broad face of the earth.”

Euston Road. From the seat of the Earl of Euston at Thetford, Norfolk, the ground landlord.

Evacuation Day. November 25th, observed in the United States as commemorating the evacuation of New York city by the British after the War of Independence, 1783.

Evangelist. From the Greek euanggelion, “good news.” One of the four writers of the Gospels of the New Testament.

Evelyn Street. From the residence of John Evelyn, the diarist. One of his descendants, the Rev. W. J. Evelyn, of Wolton, built the church of St Luke, Deptford, in 1872.