Page:Notes and Queries - Series 9 - Volume 7.djvu/285

 9*8. vii. APRIL 6, i9oi.] NOTES AND QUERIES.

'277

even in Henley and Fanner, but the latter exists, nevertheless. I find a good example of it in that interesting book 'The Autobio- graphy of a Gypsy ' (1891), where the young thief says of the old thieves, " They 'd put the kybosh on me in no time," meaning that they would perfect him in his profession, not that they would stop or silence him. Similarly, kyboah used alone has both depreciative and appreciative senses. One can say, "That's all kybosh " (i.e., nonsense), or " That 's the proper kybosh " (i.e., " the thing "). Curiously enough, Hotten gives only the depreciative, whereas the * Century Dictionary ' gives only the appreciative sense. Worth noting is the ingenious use of M. Quibosch as a proper name by the late G. A. Sala in one of his short stories (' The Grand Duchess ') in Bel- gravia, 1868.

Lastly, kybosh as a slang term for eighteen- pence may or may not be connected with the above ; but I should like to add that, although the etymology proposed for it by MR. DAVIS (ante, p. 10) is possible, there is another equally possible in the field. The point in dispute is the origin of the second syllable, which signifies "pence" (compare vofbosh, sixpence). MR. DAVIS derives it from poshet, but I have always understood that it was from Hebrew K>2, the initials of Besen-Stiiber.

JAS. PLATT, Jun. 77, St. Martin's Lane, W.C.

In my schooldays we talked about "kybosh," and used the word in various ways. A boy telling a yarn which the rest could no*t "swallow" would be greeted with the derisive words, "Now, none o' yer kybosh !" "It's all kybosh ! " another would say. It was also used in the sense of giving a hiding : "I'll give him what for ! I '11 give him kybosh ! " I statement that " " I can't do with him ; he 's so much kybosh " (^fooling, nonsense). THOS. KATCLIFFE.

Worksop.

"Kybosh " is a widely known trade word. I have heard it used, practically every day, for

upon the injudicious intruder into his studio who suggested dusting his plaster casts. What time does in this way to enhance shadow, judiciously applied "kybosh" does for new work in a few minutes. There is no other trade term for "kybosh." It is " kybosh," pure and simple.

HARRY HEMS. Fair Park, Exeter.

" BECOME " (9 th S. vii. 165). On Tyneside this word is in use, but not in the sense of "advisable." " It doesn't become her to be so impudent," or it is not becoming of her. I should say the labourer used the word in the sense that the person spoken to was in his place or within his rights in being present.

R. B R.

South Shields.

" Become " is in use amongst the older folk here in the same sense as shown by LINCOLN GREEN, and also in the converse sense. " No ! it didn't become me to have a say in it." Not long ago I heard an old man say, " I was glad he become while I was doin' it." fact, " become " is used in various ways.

THOS. RATCLIFFE. Worksop.

D'AUVERGNE FAMILY (9 th S. vii. 68, 117, 176, 191, 251). Surely the answer to the question how Vice-Admiral Philip D'Auvergne came by the title of Duke or Prince of Bouillon is that he assumed it. As for official recogni- tion, there is not much in that. Foreign titles which would not bear investigation have frequently been recognized by the House of Commons, the 'Army List,' and the ANDERSON would give any evidence for the he was again put in posses- sion of the duchy, of which he had been despoiled by Napoleon, but was finally deprived of it by the Congress of Vienna." The protocols of the Congress of Vienna are public property, and the Dukes of Bouillon
 * Navy List.' It would be interesting if MR.

In

P.

., - ~ ~ ~ , whose claim was investigated were, I believe,

the last forty odd years not in one locality not connected with the Channel Islands' only, but in all parts of England. " Where 's D'Auvergnes.

the kybosh?" " You had better kybosh it a j t j s not worth arguing the statement bit, is a query and recommendation that a b ou t peers of France. There can, I imagine, may be constantly overheard where architec- ' tural sculptors are at work. " Kybosh " is Portland cement ; "to kybosh" is to throw, with blowpipe and with brush, this dark dust into the deep recesses of carved stonework,

so that the latter's shadows may become intensified, and thus augment the general good effect of the ornamentation. The accu- mulation of dust upon statuary helps its appearance. A sculptor would look askance

be no "doubt that the British admiral was not a peer of France in any sense of the term, unless indeed Louis XVIII., while in England, may have made his acquaintance and thought it wise to please him. D.

AUTHORS OF BOOKS (9 th S. vi. 509).' Essay on the Ruin and Recovery of Mankind,' &c., Lond., 1840, 12mo, was written by Dr. Isaac Watts; 'A Letter to Edmund Burke, Esq.,