Chapter Open Question to Orange Lilies of O by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Open Question to Orange Lilies

Open Question (An). A statement, proposal, doctrine, or supposed fact, respecting which each individual is allowed to entertain his own private opinion. In the House of Commons every member may vote as he likes, regardless of party politics, on an open question. In the Anglican Church it is an open question whether the Lord's Supper should be taken fasting (before breakfast), or whether it may be taken at noon, or in the evening. Indubitably the institution was founded by Christ “after supper;” but Catholics and the High Ritualistic party insist on its being taken fasting.

Open Secret (An). A piece of information generally known, but not yet formally announced.

“It was an open secret that almost every one [of Lord Palmerston's ecclesiastical appointments] was virtually made by Lord Shaftesbury.”- Leisure Hour, 1887.

Open, Sesame The charm by which the door of the robber's dungeon flew open. The reference is to the tale of The Forty Thieves, in the Arabian Nights.

“These words were the only `open sesame' to their feelings and sympathies.”- E. Shelton

“The spell loses its power, and he who should hope to conjure with it would find himself as much mistaken as Cassim when he stood crying `Open, Wheat,' `Open, Barley,' to the door which obeyed no sound but `Open, Sesame.' ”

Open the Ball (To). To lead off the first dance; to begin anything which others will assist in carrying out.

Ophelia Daughter of Polonius the chamberlain. Hamlet fell in love with her, but after his interview with the Ghost, found it incompatible with his plans to marry her. Ophelia, thinking his “strange conduct” the effect of madness, becomes herself demented, and in her attempt to gather flowers is drowned. (Shakespeare: Hamlet.)

Opinicus A fabulous monster, composed of dragon, camel, and lion, used in heraldry. It forms the crest of the Barber Surgeons of London.

Opium-eater (The English) was Thomas de Quincey, author of Confessions. (1785-1850.)

Oppidan of Eton A student not on the foundation, but who boards in the town. (Latin, oppidum.)

Optime (plural, op-ti-mes), in Cambridge phraseology, is a graduate in honours below a wrangler. Of course, the Latin optimus (a best man) is the fons et origo of the term. Optimës are of two grades: a man of the higher group is termed a senior optimë, while one of the inferior class is called a junior optimë.

Optimism in moral philosophy, is the doctrine that “whatever is, is right,” that everything which happens is for the best.

Opus Majus The great work of Roger Bacon.

Opus Operantis in theology, means that the personal piety of the person who does the act, and not the act itself, causes it to be an instrument of grace. Thus, in the Eucharist, it is the faith of the recipient which makes it efficient for grace.

Opus Operatum in theology, means that the act conveys grace irrespectively of the receiver. Thus baptism is said by many to convey regeneration to an infant in arms.

Or Ever Ere ever. (Saxon, aer, before.)

“Or ever I had seen that day, Horatio.
Shakespeare: Hamlet, i. 2.

“Dying or ere they sicken.”
Macbeth, iv. 2.