Lavender Water. A scent produced from the essential oil of lavender, spirits of wine, and ambergris.
Lawing. An Americanism for “going to law.”
Lawless Parliament. See “[Parliament of Dunces].”
Lawn. The finest linen, which has been bleached on a lawn instead of the usual drying ground. The greensward called a lawn received its name from the Celtic allawnt, a smooth, rising ground.
Lawrence Lane. From the Church of St Lawrence, at its foot, in Gresham Street.
Law Sakes. An American corruption of the phrase “For the Lord’s sake!” which, current among the Puritans of New England, found its way in this new form into neighbouring states.
Laws, Laws-a-me. A corruption of “Lord, have mercy on me.”
Lawyer. From the old English Lawwer, literally “lawman”; the suffix is allied to the Latin vir, man.
Lawyer’s Treat. A phrase implying that each shall pay for his own drinks. A lawyer never treats his clients at a refreshment bar; they defray the cost between them.
Lay-by. The name given to an article, generally clothing, purchased on the weekly instalment system, and laid by on a shelf until the whole amount has been paid off.