Chapter Rock to Rogero, of R by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Rock to Rogero,

Rock A quack; so called from one Rock, who was the “Holloway” of Queen Anne's reign.

“Oh, when his nerves had once received a shock,
Sir Isaac Newton might have gone to Rock.”
Crabbe: Borough.

   The Ladies' Rock. A crag in Scotland under the castle rock of Stirling, where ladies used to witness tournaments.

“In the castle hill is a hollow called The Valley about a square acre in extent, used for justings and tournaments. On the south side of the valley is a small rocky pyramidical mount, called The Ladies' Hill or Rock, where the ladies sat to witness the spectacle.”- Nimmo: History of Stirlingshire, p. 282.

   People of the Rock. The inhabitants of Hejaz or Arabia Petraea.
   Captain Rock. A fictitious name assumed by the leader of the Irish insurgents in 1822.

Rock ahead (A). A sea-phrase, meaning that a rock is in the path of the ship, which the helmsman must steer clear of; a danger threatens; an opponent; an obstruction.

“That yonker ... has been a rock ahead to me all my life.”- Sir W. Scott: Guy Mannering, chap. liv.

Rock Cork A variety of asbestos, resembling cork. It is soft, easily cut, and very light.

Rock Crystal The specimens which enclose hair-like substances are called Thetis's hair-stone, Venus's hair-stone, Venus's pencils, Cupid's net, Cupid's arrows, etc.

Rock Day The day after Twelfthday, when, the Christmas holidays being over, women returned to their rock or distaff.

Rococo C'est du rococo. It is mere twaddle; Brummagem finery; make-believe. (Italian roco, uncouth.)

Rococo Architecture A debased style, which succeeded the revival of Italian architecture, and very prevalent in Germany. The ornamentation is without principle or taste, and may be designated ornamental design run mad. The Rock-temple of Ellora, in India, is most lavishly decorated.

“The sacristy of St. Lorenzo ... was the beginning of that wonderful mixture of antique regularity with the capricious bizarrerie of modern times, the last barren fruit of which was the rococo.”- H. Grimm: Michel Angelo, vol. ii. chap. xi. p. 173.

Rococo Jewellery strictly speaking, means showy jewellery made up of several different stones. Moorish decoration and Watteau's paintings are rococo. The term is now generally used depreciatingly for flashy, gaudy. Louis XIV. furniture, with gilding and ormolu, is sometimes termed rococo.

Rod To kiss the rod. (See Kiss The Rod .)

Rod-men Anglers, who use line and fishing-rod.

“You will be nearly sure to meet one or two old rod-men sipping their toddy there.”- J. K. Jerome: Three Men in a Boat, chap. xvii.

Rod in Pickle (A). A scolding in store. The rod is laid in pickle to keep it ready for use.

Roderick, the thirty-fourth and last of the Visigothic kings, was the son of Theodofred, and grandson of King Chindasuintho. Witiza, the usurper, put out the eyes of Theodofred, and murdered Favil'a, a younger brother of Roderick; but Roderick, having recovered his father's throne, put out the eyes of the usurper. The sons of Witiza, joining with Count Julian, invited the aid of Muza ibn Nozeir, the Arab chief, who sent Tarik into Spain with a large army. Roderick was routed at the battle of Gaudalete, near Xeres de la Frontera (July 17th, 711). Southey has taken this story for an epic poem in twenty-five books- blank verse. (See Rodrigo .)

Roderick Random (See Random .)