Volume. From the Latin volvo, I roll. The earliest documents or writings consisted of long rolls of the Egyptian papyrus, and when these were rolled up each one corresponded to what the moderns called a volume. See “[Roll Call].”
W
Wadham College. Founded at Oxford by Nicholas Wadham in 1613.
Walbrook. From a pleasant stream of clear water which, after skirting the wall of St Stephen’s Church, behind where the Mansion House now stands, ran southward, to empty itself into the Thames at Dowgate.
Waldenses. The followers of Peter Waldo, a merchant of Lyons, who towards the end of the twelfth century had the four Gospels translated for the benefit of the people, and was unsparing in his denunciation of the clergy. With the Albigenses of Languedoc these people, who entered with their leader into the valleys of Dauphine and Piedmont, may be regarded as the earliest of the Reformers.
Wales. This Celtic territory, which was never even penetrated by the Anglo-Saxons, received the name of “Wallia,” signifying the country of the Wahlen or Wahls, foreigners.
Walham Green. The original spelling of this name “Wahlheim,” expressed from the Anglo-Saxon point of view a home or settlement of the Wahls or foreigners.
Walk a Virginia Fence. An American phrase applied to a drunken man. In Virginia the rail fences are constructed in a zig-zag manner, whence they are also called “worm fences.”
Walking Gentlemen. In theatrical parlance, one who plays the part of a gentleman or noble on the stage; he may not have much to say, but his bearing must be above reproach. The plays of Shakespeare abound in parts of this kind.
Walk the Chalk. An Americanism for to act straight or keep in the right path.