Hawkeye State. Iowa, owing to the sanguinary conflicts with the savage tribe led by the chief “Hawkeye.” Its people are called “Hawkeyes.”
Hawthorn. Expresses the Anglo-Saxon for “hedge thorn.”
Haydon Square. After the ground landlord, John Heydon, Alderman of the city of London towards the close of the sixteenth century.
Hay Hill. Marks the situation, together with Hill Street and Farm Street, of an old farm on the lands of John, Lord Berkeley of Stratton, temp. Charles I.
Haymarket. Where hay was sold in open market prior to January 1831.
Hayti. West Indian for “mountainous country.”
Hazing. An Americanism for a mad sport or frolic. Specifically it expresses the tricks played upon, and the ignominious treatment meted out to, an unpopular comrade in the army and the Military Schools; what in our own country is called “Ragging.” Like most other Americanisms, the word cannot be explained on etymological grounds.
Hear, Hear. A modern form of the ancient parliamentary exclamation “Hear him!” to enjoin silence while a Member was addressing the House.
Hearse. From the French herse and German hirsch. Both these terms expressed a harrow or triangular candlestick set at the head of a coffin at a funeral service in church. At a later period they implied a sepulchral mound temporarily distinguished by a triangular stake setting forth a number or other identification mark. The modern application of the term to a vehicle specially designed for the conveyance of a body to the grave was an easy transition.
Heart-breakers. Artificial ringlets formerly worn by ladies to enhance their beauty. It is said that the most inveterate woman-hater was not proof against the attraction of these Heart-breakers.