Noddy. A kind of jaunting car peculiar to Dublin, so called because its jolting motion makes its riders nod their heads.
No Flies on me. An Americanism expressive of individual energy. The meaning is: “I am so active that no flies can ever settle on me.”
No Hat Brigade. Modern faddists who walk abroad bare-headed and shelter themselves against the elements under an umbrella.
Nonconformists. Those ministers of the Church of England who refused to subscribe or conform to the “Act of Conformity,” and thereby lost their livings. The term is now generally applied to all Dissenting congregations.
No Quarter. When the battle cry of “No Quarter,” consequent on an order, goes forth, no lives are spared by the victors. To give quarter means to spare the vanquished. This had its origin in ancient European warfare, when, by way of earning prize-money, a soldier refrained from dealing the death blow to a fallen foe on condition of receiving a quarter of the latter’s pay.
Norfolk. The northern of the two districts or counties on the east coast settled by the Angles, the north folk and south folk respectively.
Norfolk Howards. An excess of refinement has caused this term to be substituted for bugs. This originated in the action of Joshua Bugg of the Swan Tavern, Norwich, who by deed poll, as advertised in The Times 26th June 1862, changed his name to Norfolk Howard. In America all beetles are commonly styled bugs.
Norfolk Street. From the town house and grounds of the Howards, Dukes of Norfolk and Earls of Arundel and Surrey.
Norland Square. Built on the site of Norland House, the residence of one of the Drummonds, bankers of Charing Cross, temp. William IV.
Normandy. The country peopled by the Northmen or Danes.