Vichy Water. So called because drawn from the celebrated springs at Vichy in France.
Victoria. The carriage of this name was introduced in 1838, the coronation year of the late Queen Victoria. Much about the same time the Australian colony so designated in her honour was first colonised.
Victoria Regia. So called because it was brought to England from Guiana soon after the accession of Queen Victoria.
Victoria Street. After Queen Victoria, in the early years of whose reign it was cut through and built upon.
Vienna. From a small stream, the Wien, from which the city received its German name.
Vignette. Expressing the French for a “little vine,” this name was given to an early style of photograph, and also to a book engraving that faced the title-page, on account of the vine leaves and tendrils that surrounded it.
Vigo Street. In honour of the capture of Vigo by Lord Cobham in 1719, shortly before this street was built upon.
Viking. From the Icelandic vik, a creek, the usual lurking-place of the northern pirates.
Villain. Although signifying originally a mean, low fellow, but by no means one of reprehensive morals as now, this term was applied to a labourer on a farm or a country seat. To argue this point with the humble day-labourer who trims the shrubs at a suburban villa in our own time, would serve no useful purpose.
Villiers Street. One of the group of streets the names of which perpetuate the memory of George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, whose town mansion hereabouts was approached from the river by the old water gate, still in existence.