Chapter Wright of Norwich to Wyoming of W by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Wright of Norwich to Wyoming

Wright of Norwich Do you know Dr. Wright of Norwich? A reproof given to a person who stops the decanter at dinner. Dr. Wright, of Norwich, was a great diner-out and excellent talker. When a person stops the bottle and is asked this question, it is as much as to say, Dr. Wright had the privilege of doing so because he entertained the table with his conversation, but you are no Dr. Wright, except in stopping the circulation of the wine.
   A similar reproof is given in the combination room of our Universities in this way: The bottle-stopper is asked if he knows A or B (any name), and after several queries as to who A or B is, the questioner says, “He was hanged,” and being asked what for, replies, “For stopping the bottle.”

Write To write up. To bring into public notice or estimation by favourable criticisms or accounts of, as to write up a play or an author.

Write Like an Angel (To). (See under Angel .)

Wrong The king (or queen) can do no wrong.

“It seems incredible that we should have to remind Lord Redesdale that the sovereign can do no wrong.' simply because the sovereign can do nothing except by and with the advice and consent of the ministers of the Crown.”- The Times.

Wrong End of the Stick (You have got hold of the). You have quite misapprehended the matter; you have got the wrong sow by the ear. There is another form of this phrase which determines the allusion. The toe of the stick is apt to be fouled with dirt, and when laid hold of defiles the hand instead of supporting the feet.

Wrong Side of the Blanket (The). (See Blanket .)

Wrong Side of the Cloth (That is the). The inferior aspect. In French, l'envers du drap.

Wrong Sow by the Ear (You have the). You have made a mistake in choice, come to the wrong shop or box; or misapprehended the subject. Pigs are caught by the ear. (See Sow .)

Wrongun (A). A horse which has run at any flat-race meeting not recognised by the Jockey Club is technically so called, and is boycotted by the club.

Wroth Money or Wroth Silver. Money paid to the lord in lieu of castle guard for military service; a tribute paid for killing accidentally some person of note; a tribute paid in acknowledgment of the tenancy of unenclosed land. Dugdale, in his History of Warwick-shire, says:-

“There is a certain rent due unto the lord of this Hundred (i.e. of Knightlow, the property of the Duke of Buccleuch), called wroth-money, or warth-money, or swarff-penny ... Denarii vice-comiti vel aliis castellanis persoluti ob castrorum proesidium vel excubias agendas (Sir Henry Spelman: Glossary). The rent must be paid on Martinmas Day, in the morning at Knightlow Cross, before sunrise. The party paying it must go thrice about the cross and say, `The wrath-money,' and then lay it [varying from 1d. to 2s. 3d.] in a hole in the said cross before good witnesses, or forfeit a white bull with red nose and ears. The amount thus collected reached in 1892 to about 9s., and all who complied with the custom were entertained at a substantial breakfast at the Duke's expense, and were toasted in a glass of rum and milk.”

Wulstan (St.). A Saxon Bishop of Worcester, who received his see from Edward the Confessor. Being accused of certain offences, and ordered to resign his see, he planted his crozier in the shrine of the Confessor, declaring if any of his accusers could draw it out he would submit to resign; as no one could do so but St. Wulstan himself, his innocence was admitted. This sort of “miracle” is the commonest of legendary wonders. Arthur proved himself king by a similar “miracle.”

Wunderberg or Underbeg, on the great moor near Salzberg, the chief haunt of the Wild-women. It is said to be quite hollow, and contains churches, gardens, and cities. Here is Charles V. with crown and sceptre, lords and knights. His grey beard has twice encompassed the table at which he sits, and when