Chapter O. K to Old Moll of O by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Old Fox (The), marshal Soult; so called from his strategic abilities and never-failing resources (1769–1851).

Old Gib. [Jib], Gibraltar Rock.

Old Glory, sir Francis Burdett; so called by the radicals, because at one time he was their leader. In his latter years sir Francis joined the tories (1770–1844).

Old Grog, admiral Edward Vernon; so called from his wearing a grogram coat in foul weather (1684–1757).

Old Harry, the devil. The Hebrew seirim (“hairy ones”) is translated “devils” in Lev. xvii. 7, probably meaning “he-goats.”

Old Hickory. General Andrew Johnson was so called in 1813. He was first called “Tough,” then “Tough as Hickory,” then “Hickory,” and lastly “Old Hickory.”

Old Humphrey, the pseudonym of George Mogridge of London (died 1854).

Old Lady of Threadneedle Street, a cant-name for the Bank of England.

Old Maid (The), a farce by Murphy (1761). Miss Harlow is the “old maid,” aged 45, living with her brother and his bride a beautiful young woman of 23. A young man of fortune, having seen them at Ranelagh, falls in love with the younger lady; and, inquiring their names, is told they are “Mrs. and Miss Harlow.” He takes it for granted that the elder lady is the mother, and the younger the daughter; so asks permission to pay his addresses to “Miss Harlow.” The request is granted, but it turns out that the young man meant Mrs. Harlow, and the worst of the matter is, that the elder spinster was engaged to be married to captain Cape, but turned him off for the younger man. When the mistake was discovered, the old maid was left, like the last rose of summer, to “pine on the stem,” for neither felt inclined to pluck and wear the flower.

Old Maid (An), the signature adopted by Miss Phillipps (1841).

Old Maids, a comedy by S. Knowles (1841). The “old maids” are lady Blanche and lady Anne, two young ladies who resolve to die old maids. Their resolutions, however, are but ropes of sand, for lady Blanche falls in love with colonel Blount, and lady Anne with sir Philip Brilliant.

Old Man (An), sir Francis Bond Head, bart., published his Bubbles from the Brunnen of Nassau under this signature (1793–1875).

Old Man Eloquent (The), Isocratês the orat or. The defeat of the Athenians at Cheronæa had such an effect on his spirits, that he languished and died within four days, in the 99th year of his age.

… that dishonest victory
At Cheronæa, fatal to liberty,
Killed with report that Old Man Eloquent.
   —Milton: Sonnet, ix.

Old Man of Hoy (The), a tall pillar of old red conglomerate in the island of Hoy. The softer parts have been washed away by the action of the waves.

Old Man of the Mountain, Hassan-ben-Sabah, sheik al Jebal; also called subah of Nishapour, the founder of the band (1090). Two letters are inserted in Rymer’s Fœdera by Dr. Adam Clarke, the editor, said to be written by this sheik.

Aloaddin, “prince of the Assassins” (thirteenth century).

Old Man of the Sea (The), a monster which contrived to get on the back of Sinbad the sailor, and refused to dismount. Sinbad at length made him drunk, and then shook him off.—Arabian Nights (“Sinbad the Sailor,” fifth voyage).