Lud-a-massy. A corruption of the old exclamation “Lord, have mercy!”
Luddites. A name borne by the wilful destroyers of machinery in the manufacturing districts[districts]; said to have been adopted from Ned Lud, an imbecile of Leicester, who being, chased by boys, took refuge in a house, and there broke a couple of stocking frames. These rioters caused great havoc during the second decade of the last century.
Ludgate Hill. The testimony of Old Stow notwithstanding, there is grave doubt whether King Lud, the reputed builder of the western gate of the city, ever existed. In much greater likelihood this gate received its name from its situation near the River Fleet, and meant simply Flood Gate. See “[Fleet Street].”
Lug. Northern and Scottish for “ear.” In England generally this word is regarded as slang except when employed in connection with “Lugger” and “Luggage.”
Luggage. So called because it is lugged about in transit by the handles, as a Lancashire man would pull another by the lug or ear.
Lugger. A small craft having lugs, or drooping sails, like a dog’s ear.
Lumber. An Americanism for timber sawn into logs and sent floating down the rivers for eventual shipment.
Lumber-room. One set apart for odds and ends of no practical utility. The name is derived from “Lombard Room,” in which the Lombards, who were the first goldsmiths and money-lenders in England, stored the articles pledged with them.
Lunatic. From the Latin luna, the moon. The Romans persistently cherished the idea that a person’s mind was affected at the several changes of the moon.
Lupercalia. A Roman festival in honour of Lupercus, the god of fertility. This occurred on the 15th of February.