Hang of the Thing. An Americanism for the mechanism or the understanding of a thing--e.g. “I can’t get the hang of the thing nohow.”
Hanover Square. In honour of the Hanoverian Succession, because laid out and built upon in the reign of George I.
Hansards. Parliamentary debates and papers, so called because they were printed by Luke Hansard and his successors from the year 1752 until comparatively recent days.
Hanse Towns. Those towns of Northern Germany embraced by the Hansa or Hanseatic League, as long ago as the thirteenth century, for the protection of commerce against pirates at sea and marauders on land. The word Hansa is Gothic for a league, society, federation.
Hans Place. After Sir Hans Sloane, the original ground landlord. See “[Sloane Square].”
Hansom Cab. The “Safety Cab” patented in 1883 by Joseph Aloysius Hansom. This was not so much an improvement upon the Four-Wheeler as a horse-drawn adaptation of the invalids’ chair introduced at Brighton at the commencement of the century. See “[Fly].”
Hants. See “[Hampshire].”
Hanway Street. Here resided Jonas Hanway, the founder of Magdalen Hospital, who, newly arrived in England from Persia, and in delicate health, excited much ridicule because he was the first male pedestrian to carry an umbrella through the London streets as a protection against the rain. Hackney coachmen were especially wrath at this innovation, foreseeing that their business would be ruined if it caught on with the public.
Happify. An Americanism for to make happy--e.g. “One ought to try to happify mankind.”
Hapsburg. The name of the Imperial family of Austria, derived from Habichtsburg, or “Hawk’s Castle,” built by Werner, Bishop of Strasburg, on the right bank of the Aar, in the Swiss canton of the Aargau--i.e. country of the Aar River.