Chapter Long-tailed to Lookers-on of L by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Longboat Formerly the largest boat belonging to a ship, built so as to carry a great weight. A longboat is often from 30 to 40 feet long, having a beam from 29 to 25 of its length. It has a heavy flat floor, and is carvel built.

Longbow To draw the longbow. To exaggerate. The force of an arrow in the longbow depends on the strength of the arm that draws it, so the force of a statement depends on the force of the speaker's imagination. The longbow was the favourite weapon of the English from the reign of Edward II. till it was superseded by fire-arms. The “long-bow” was the hand-bow, as distinguished from the crossbow or bow fitted on a stock.

Longchamps On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of Passion Week, the Parisians go in procession to Longchamps, near the Bois de Boulogne. This procession is made by private carriages and hired cabs, and is formed by all the smartly-dressed men and women who wish to display the spring fashions. The origin of the custom is this: There was once a famous nunnery at Longchamps, noted for its singing. In Passion Week all who could went to hear these religious women sing the Ténèbres; the custom grew into a fashion, and though the house no longer exists, the procession is as fashionable as ever.

Longcrown A deep fellow, long-headed.
   That caps Longcrown, and he capped the devil. That is a greater falsehood than the “father of lies” would tell.

Longevity The oldest man of modern times was Thomas Carn, if we may rely on the parish register of St. Leonard's, Shoreditch, where it is recorded that he died in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, aged 207. He was born in 1381, in the reign of Richard II., lived in the reigns of ten sovereigns, and died in 1588. Old Jenkins was only 160 when he died, and remembered going (when he was a boy of twelve) with a load of arrows, to be used in the battle of Flodden Field. Parr died at the age of 152. William Wakley (according to the register of St. Andrew's church, Shifnal, Salop) was at least 124 when he died. He was baptised at Idsal 1590, and buried at Adbaston, November 28, 1714, and he lived in the reigns of eight sovereigns. Mary Yates, of Lizard Common, Shifnal, married her third husband at the age of 92, and died in 1776, at the age of 127.

Longius The Roman soldier who smote our Lord with his spear. In the romance of King Arthur, this spear was brought by Joseph of Arimathea to Listenise, when he visited King Pellam, “who was nigh of Joseph's kin.” Sir Balim the Savage, being in want of a weapon, seized this spear, with which he wounded King Pellam. “Three whole countries were destoyed” by that one stroke, and Sir Balim saw “the people thereof lying dead on all sides.” (History of Prince Arthur, vol i. chap. 41.) Generally called LONGINUS.

Longo Intervallo Proximus sed longo intervallo. Next (it is true), but at what a vast distance! Generally quoted “Longo intervallo. ”

Looby A simpleton. (Welsh, llob, a dolt.)

“The spendthrift and the plodding looby,
The nice Sir Courtly, and the booby.”
Hudibras: Redivivus (1707).

Look Alive Be more active and energetic; look sharp

Look Black (To) and Black Looks. (See Black ...)

Look Blue (To). To show signs of disappointment, disgust, or displeasure.

“Squire Brown looked rather blue at having to pay £2 10s. for the posting expenses from Oxford.”- Hughes: Tom Brown at Oxford.