Chapter W to Waldemar's Way of W by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Waiters upon Providence Those who cling to the prosperous, but fall away from decaying fortunes.

“The side of the Puritans was deserted at this period by a numerous class of ... $$$ persons, who never forsook them till they became unfortunate. These sagacious personages were called ... waiters upon Providence, and deemed it a high delinquency towards heaven to afford countenance to any cause longer than it was favoured by fortune.”- Sir. W. Scott: $$$ of the Peak, chap. iv.

Waits Street musicians, who serenade the principal inhabitants at Christmas-time, especially on Christmas Eve. From Rymer's Faedra we learn it was the duty of musical watchmen “to pipe the watch” nightly in the king's court four times from Michaelmas to Shrove-Thursday, and three times in the summer; and they had also to make “the bon gate” at every door, to secure them against “pyckeres and pillers.” They form a distinct class from both the watch and the minstrels. Oboes were at one time called “waits.”

“Dr. Busby says the word is a corruption of wayghtes, hautboys, transferred from the instruments to the performers.”- Dictionary of Music

Wake (1 syl.). To keep vigils. (Anglo-Saxon, waeccan.) A vigil celebrated with junketing and dancing.

“It may, therefore, be permitted them [the Irish] on the dedication day, or other solemn days of martyrs, to make them bowers about the churches, and refresh themselves, feasting together after a good religious sort; killing their oxen now to the praise of God and increase of charity, which they were wont before to sacrifice to the devil.”- Gregory the great to Melitus [Melitus was an $$$ who came over with St. Augustine].

“Waking a Witch” If a “witch” was obdurate, the most effectual way of obtaining a confession was by what was termed “waking her.” For this purpose an iron bridle or hoop was bound across her face with four prongs thrust into her mouth. The “bridle” was fastened behind to the wall by a chain in such a manner that the victim was unable to lie down; and in this position she was kept sometimes for several days, while men were constantly by to keep her awake. In Scotland some of these bridles are still preserved.

Walbrook Ward (London) is so called from a brook which once ran along the west wall of Walbrook Street.

Walcheren Expedition A well-devised scheme, ruined by the stupidity of the agent chosen to carry it out. Lord Castlereagh's instructions were “to advance instantly in full force against Antwerp,” but Lord Chatham wasted his time and strength in reducing Flushing. Ultimately, the red-tape “Incapable” got possession of the island of Walcheren, but 7,000 men died of malaria, and as many more were permanently disabled.

Waldemar's Way So the Milky Way is called in Denmark. This was Waldemar or Valdemar the Victorious, who substituted the Danebrog for the national banner of Denmark.