Ribston Pippins. The name given to a fine species of Normandy apple grown at Ribstone, Yorkshire, from pips originally planted on his estate by Sir Henry Goodriche.
Richmond. When Edward I. built himself a sumptuous palace on the south bank of the Thames he gave it the name of Sheen, the Saxon for “resplendent.” This being consumed by fire in 1479, Henry VI., rebuilt it, and then called it Richmond, after the beautiful seat in Yorkshire whence he took the title of his earldom. Richmond signifies a rich prospect from the hill occupied by its ancient castle.
Riding. A Danish division of the county of Yorkshire corresponding to the Lincolnshire Trithing, of which it is a corruption, signifying a third part.
Riff-raff. Expresses the Anglo-Saxon, from the Danish rip-raps, for “sweepings”; hence the scum of society.
Right off the Reel. To do a thing without stopping until it is finished. The allusion is to unwinding the entire length of cotton off a reel or bobbin.
Right Foot Foremost. A phrase derived from the old Roman superstition that if a visitor crossed the threshold with the left foot foremost he would be certain to bring ill luck upon the household.
Rile. A provincial corruption of “Rail,” to anger or tease.
Ring. A professional term for a charmed circle--e.g. “The Dramatic Ring.”
Ring him up. A telephone phrase, really borrowed from the theatrical profession, in which the prompter’s “Ring up” and “Ring down”--i.e. the curtain--have obtained favour since the “Palmy Days of the Drama.”
Rink. An American variant of “Ring.” In the sense of a skating rink the term has become popular in England.