Phrases and Names, Their Origins and Meanings

by Trench H. Johnson

All-fired. An Americanism for “great”--e.g. “He came in an all-fired hurry.”

All-hallowe’en. The vigil of “All-hallows’ Day.”

All-hallows’-Barking. This ancient church, dedicated to All the Saints, belonged to the Abbey at Barking, Essex.

All-hallows’ Day. The old-time designation of All Saints’ Day, from Anglo-Saxon halig, holy.

All Moonshine. As the light of the moon is reflected from the sun, so an incredible statement received at second hand is said to be “all moonshine.”

All my Eye and Betty Martin. A corruption of Ah mihi, beate Martine (Woe to me, Blessed Martin), formerly used by beggars in Italy to invoke their patron saint. The story goes that a sailor who wandered into a church in that country, hearing these words, afterwards told his companions that all he could make out from the service was: “All my eye and Betty Martin.”

All Saints’ Bay. Discovered by Amerigo Vespucci on the Feast of All Saints, 1503.

All Saints’ Day. The day set apart by the Church for the invocation of the whole body of canonised saints.

All Serena. From the Spanish serena, used by sentinels as a countersign for “All’s well.”

All Souls’ College. Founded at Oxford by Henry Chichely, Archbishop of Canterbury, for the perpetual offering up of prayers on behalf of the souls of those who fell in the wars of Henry V. in France.