In the Suds. An Americanism for being unprepared to receive visitors. The allusion is to a washerwoman with her hands in the soapsuds.
In the Swim. To be admitted to a certain professional or financial clique. River fish generally keep together, and an angler’s object is to get what he calls “in the swim.” By so doing he may hook fish after fish without difficulty.
In the wrong Box. The origin of this expression is simply this: When Vauxhall, Cremorne, Ranelagh, Highbury Barn, and similar alfresco resorts were in existence, they had rows of cosy hutches or boxes all around for the benefit of those who wished to do their courting in private, while they could at the same time listen to the music and see the illuminations. It was no easy matter for anyone to find his own box again among the many if he left it; consequently on returning to his partner after sallying forth, he rendered his presence obnoxious to strangers by suddenly finding himself in the wrong box.
Intrepid Fox. A historic tavern in Soho named after Charles James Fox, the great Whig Minister. At the time of the famous election of 1784 the redoubtable Sammy House, the landlord, served all customers free, and also entertained several notable Whigs.
Invention of the Cross. The name of this Church festival, 3rd May, commemorative of the finding of the True Cross by those sent in quest of it by St Helena, sounds peculiar, but the word “invent” is really from the Latin invenire, to find, discover, come upon.
Inverary. The county town of Argyleshire, “at the mouth of” the River Aray.
Inverness. Situate at the mouth of the River Ness.
Invincibles. See “[Irish Invincibles].”
Ionia. The ancient name of Asia Minor, settled by the Ionians, so called after Ion, the son of Apollo according to Greek fable.
Ionic. The style of architecture so called was peculiar to Ionia in Greece. The earliest of the Greek philosophers so called too were all natives of Ionia.