Rio de Janeiro. This city takes its name from the river discovered by Alfonso de Sousa on the Feast of St Januarius, on which it stands.
Rio de la Plata. Spanish for “river of silver.”
Rio Grande. Spanish for “great river.”
Rip. A corruption of “Rep.” See “[Old Rep].”
Ritualists. The extreme High Church party, who for many years past have revived the ancient ritual to such a degree that they may be said to be Roman Catholics in everything save in name.
Riviera. Literally “coast,” “sea-shore.”
Robbing Peter to Pay Paul. An expression derived from the following circumstance:--By Royal Letters Patent, dated 17th December 1540, the abbey church of St Peter, Westminster, was constituted a cathedral, with a resident bishop. Ten years afterwards this order was revoked, the diocese of Westminster being united to that of St Paul’s Cathedral, and its revenues were granted towards the repairs of the city fane; hence what was taken away from St Peter’s went to benefit St Paul’s.
Robert. The generic name for a policeman, after Sir Robert Peel, who introduced the modern constabulary system.
Robert Street. In the Adelphi, after the Christian name of one of the three brothers Adam, its builders. In Camden Town, after one of the family names of the Marquis of Camden, the ground landlord.
Robert the Devil. The surname of the first Duke of Normandy, the father of William the Conqueror, merited by his outrageous cruelty and daring in war.