By the Peacock. See “[Peacock].”
By the Skin of my Teeth. An expression derived from Job xix. 20: “My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.”
Byward Tower. A corruption of Bearward Tower, the residence of the Tower “Bearward.” The bear-house at our national fortress in the time of James I. is mentioned in Nichol’s “Progresses and Processions.”
C
Cab. Short for “Cabriolet,” or little caperer, from cabriole, a goat’s leap. See “[Capri].”
Cabal. A political term formed out of the initials of the intriguing ministry of 1670--thus: Clifford, Ashley, Buckingham, Arlington, and Lauderdale.
Cabinet. The designation of Ministers of State, who first conducted their deliberations in a cabinet, from the Italian gabinetto, a small room. A picture or photograph of this size received its name from the apartment for which it was best suited.
Cabin Girls. Waitresses at the “Cabin” Restaurants Limited.
Cablegram. An Americanism for telegram.
Cadiz. Called Gades by the Romans, from the Phœnician Gadir, enclosed, shut in.