Nick of the Woods. The first word in this American designation is a corruption of “neck,” denoting a settlement or habitation in the wooded regions of the south-western states.
Nicotiana. The tobacco-producing regions of the United States. See “[Nicotine].”
Nicotine. After Jean Nicot, who introduced tobacco, which he had purchased at Lisbon, into France in 1560.
Nigger. A corruption of Negro, which term is derived from the Latin niger, “black.”
Nightcap. Since everyone in the days of our grandfathers wore a nightcap, and fancied he could not go to sleep without one, so the modern substitute is a glass of spirits just before retiring, with a view to making him feel drowsy; hence such a drink is called a “nightcap.”
Nightingale. Literally a bird that sings in the night.
Nihilist. Originally a member of a Russian society whose members recognised no law save their own happiness. They sought to annihilate all ideas of God and government, as also of the rights of property. These ultra-Socialists sprang into existence in 1848.
Nimrod. Charles James Apperley, the sporting contributor to The Quarterly Review, and author of “The Chase, The Turf, and The Road,” adopted this pseudonym after Nimrod, the son of Cush, who is mentioned in Genesis x. 9 as the “mighty hunter before the Lord.”
Nincompoop. A dull-witted person, so called from the Latin phrase non compos mentis, “of unsound mind.”
Nine Days’ Wonder. Puppies and kittens remaining blind for nine days after birth, they are during this period a subject of much wonder to the young members of the household. A sensational event or a piece of public scandal arouses uncommon interest for a few days, and then it gradually subsides.