Lebanon. From the Hebrew laban, white; expresses “the white mountain.”
Lee. A variant of the Anglo-Saxon lea and ley, “meadow” or “pasture land.” This word enters into many river and place-names.
Leech. The old name for a medical man in the days when bleeding the patient, no matter what his ailment might be, was the common practice.
L. E. L. The literary pseudonym, formed from the initials of Letitia Elizabeth Landon, the poetess.
Leg and Star. A corruption of “The Star and Garter.” This, of course, arose when a painted device, instead of a mere title, served as an inn and tavern sign.
Legend. An Americanism for a written or printed notice. The term has latterly come into use in England relative to a tradesman’s shop announcement.
Legitimate Drama. That which is dependent upon its intrinsic literary and constructive merits, quite apart from scenic effects.
Leg Stretcher. A Far Western expression for a drink. This arose from the common travellers’ exclamation while the stage coach was waiting for the mails: “I’ll get off a bit, and stretch my legs.”
Leicester. The Leirecastra of the Romans, being the fortified camp on the Leire, now called the Soar.
Leicester Square. Originally Leicester Fields, from the town mansion built on its east side by Robert Sidney, Earl of Leicester, in 1636.