1848. John Bull, 29 Ap. Among . . . good things . . . is to be reckoned a new sauce from the laboratory of Professor Soyer, of the Whig College, commonly called the Reform Club.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., ii. At this time were first heard two nicknames which, though originally given in insult, were soon assumed with pride. . . . It is a curious circumstance that one . . . was of Scotch, and the other of Irish, origin. Both in Scotland and in Ireland, misgovernment had called into existence bands of desperate men; whose ferocity was heightened by religious enthusiasm. . . . Thus the appellation of Whig was fastened on the Presbyterian zealots of Scotland, and was transferred to those English politicians who showed a disposition to oppose the court, and to treat Protestant nonconformists with indulgence. The bogs of Ireland, at the same time, afforded a refuge to Popish Outlaws, much resembling those who were afterwards known as Whiteboys. These men were then called Tories. The name of Tory was therefore given to Englishmen who refused to concur in excluding a Roman Catholic prince from the throne.
3. (American).—During the war of the American Revolution, the terms Whig and Tory were applied,—the former to those who supported the Revolutionary movement, the latter to the royalists, or those who adhered to the British government (Bartlett).
Whim, subs. (B. E.).—1. 'A
Maggot.' Hence 'Whimsical'
= 'Maggotish': see Bee in
bonnet and Maggot.
2. (old). See Jiggumbob, spec. quot. 1678 s.v.
3. (venery).—The female pudendum: see Monosyllable: also Whim-wham.
1707. Ward, Hud. Rediv., ii. iii. 26. When I had view'd the Ladies Limbs, And all these Members, but their Whims. Ibid., ii. iv. 18. Let me know whether your Whim be high or low. . . . The Fro believing from my Joaks, I fancy'd not her Butter-box, Cock'd up her Head, took leave in scorn.
Whimling, subs. (common).—A
person childish, weak, or full
of whims, a crotcheteer.
Whimmy = whimsical.
1610. Beaumont and Fletcher, Coxcomb, iv. 7. Go, whimling, and fetch two or three grating-loaves out of the kitchen.
Whimper. On the whimper,
phr. (colloquial).—Peevish, whining,
crying. Also (B. E.)
'Whimper, a low or small cry.
What a Whimpering you keep.'
1857-9. Thackeray, Virginians, xii. Mrs. Mountain is constantly on the whimper when George's name is mentioned.
Whim-wham, subs. phr. (old).—1.
A trinket, trifle, fal-lal.
Hence (2) generic for rubbish,
nonsense.
1500-13. Skelton, Poems (Dyce), iii. With a whym wham, Knyt with a trym tram.
1604. Marston and Webster, Malcontent, i. 3. Sir Tristam Tristam come aloft, jacke-a-napes, with a whim-wham.
1608. Cobler of Canterburie. Her kercher hung from under her cap, With a taile like a flie flap. And tyed it fast with a whim wham, Knit up againe with a trim tram.
1614. Fletcher, Night Walker, i. Nay not that way, They'll pull ye all to pieces for your whim-whams, Your garters, and your gloves.
1619. Massinger [?], City Madam, iv. 3. 'Tis more comely, I wis, than their other whim-whams.
1630. Taylor, Works [Nares]. His Alkaron, his Moskyes are whim-whams, False bug-beare babl\es, fables all that dams. Ibid. When with her flesh mans stomack she hath fed, She gives him ease and comfort in his bed; She yeelds no whim-whams wavering on his crest, But she relieves him with repose and rest.
3. See Whim, subs. 3.
