Vinegar. From the French vinaigre, “sour wine.”
Vinegar Bible. So called from the substitution of the word “vinegar” for “vineyard” in the headline to Luke xx., printed at the Clarendon Press in 1717.
Vinegar Yard. Wherever this corrupted term is met with in London it points to a “vineyard” originally belonging to a religious order. That in Clerkenwell was attached to the Priory of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem, that adjoining Drury Lane Theatre to St Paul’s Convent in what is now Covent Garden.
Vine Street. Recalls the existence of a vineyard at Westminster and off Piccadilly, anciently held by the abbots of the venerable pile of St Peter’s at Westminster.
Vintry. This ward of the city of London was anciently the “place of” the vintners, or wine merchants who came from Bordeaux.
Virginals. An early example of keyed musical instrument resembling the pianoforte. Also this was played upon with some degree of skill by Queen Elizabeth, the so-called “Virgin Queen,” and is said to have given her name to the instrument. It was, however, well known long before her time, having been used by nuns in convents to accompany hymns to the Virgin.
Virginia. Named by Sir Walter Raleigh in honour of Elizabeth, the “Virgin Queen.”
Virginia Bible. A translation of the Scriptures into the native tongue of the Indians of the state of Virginia, first printed in 1661. Copies are said to be worth at least £200.
Virgin Mary’s Body Guard. The 7th Dragoon Guards, because this regiment once served under Maria Theresa of Austria.
Voltaire. The anagrammatic literary pseudonym of François Marie Arouet, formed as follows:--“Arouet l. j.” (le jeune).