Phrases and Names, Their Origins and Meanings

by Trench H. Johnson

Bottom Dollar. An Americanism for one’s last coin.

Bovril. An adaptation of bovis, ox, and vril, strength--the latter being a word coined by Lord Lytton in “The Coming Race.”

Bow. From the ancient stone bridge over the Lea, which was the first ever built in this country on a bow or arch.

Bow Church. Properly the church of St Mary-le-Bow, Cheapside, the first in this country to be built on bows or arches.

Bowdlerise. In the year 1818 Thomas Bowdler brought out an expurgated edition of Shakespeare’s Plays; hence a “Bowdlerised Edition” of any work is one of which the original text has been unwarrantably tampered with.

Bowie Knife. After Colonel Jim Bowie, a famous fighter of the western states, who first armed himself with this weapon.

Bow Street. From its arc shape when first laid out.

Bow Street Runners. Primitive detectives sent out from their headquarters in Bow Street in highwayman days.

Bowyer Tower. Anciently the residence of the Tower bowyer or bowmaker. Here, according to tradition, the Duke of Clarence was drowned in a butt of “Malmsey.”

Boxing Day. See “[Christmas-box].”