White Swan. An inn sign complimentary to Edward III. and Henry IV., whose badge it was.
Whit Sunday. A corruption of “White Sunday,” so called from the earliest days of Christianity in England because the catechumens or newly baptised attended Mass, and received the Sacrament dressed in white, on the Feast of Pentecost.
Whittington Avenue. After Sir Richard Whittington, thrice Lord Mayor of London, who resided in this neighbourhood.
Whittington Stone. The name of a tavern on Highgate Hill, opposite to which is, according to tradition, the identical stone on which Dick Whittington, the future Lord Mayor of London, rested while listening to the bells of Bow Church chiming across the pleasant fields.
Wicked Bible. Wilfully or otherwise the word “not” is omitted from this edition of the Scriptures, so that the passage in Exodus xx. 14. reads: “Thou shalt commit adultery.”
Wide-awake. The slang term for a soft felt hat, because, having no nap, it must always be wide awake.
Widow Bird. A corruption of “Whydaw Bird,” from the country in West Africa where it is found.
Wigmore Street. In common with several neighbouring streets, this perpetuates one of the titles of Edward Harley, Earl of Oxford and Mortimer, who in 1717 was created Baron Harley of Wigmore in Herefordshire, the ground landlord.
Wilburites. The orthodox[orthodox] or strict members of the Society of Friends in America under John Wilbur, as opposed to the “Hicksite Friends.”
William the Lion. The surname of this King of the Scots was due to his selection of a lion rampant for his crest.