"The lumberer very rarely mixes in polite society, but when he does he never fails to make his mark. Only a few weeks ago he was introduced to ———, and that effusive young lady was quite charmed with him.
"'I think him awfully nice,' she said; 'I am quite taken with him.'
"And so were they all, until a subsequent examination of the sideboard disclosed the fact that a considerable portion of the plate had likewise been taken with him."
The Philadelphia Press quotes "a charming old lady's advice to girls—very excellent advice indeed, to the sweet-faced damsels who are making their first bows to society this winter. Firstly, what to avoid:
"A loud, weak, affected, whining, harsh, or shrill tone of voice.
"Extravagances in conversation—such phrases as 'awfully this,' 'beastly that,' 'loads of time,' 'don't you know,' 'hate' for 'dislike,' &c.
"Sudden exclamation of annoyance, surprise, and joy—often dangerously approaching to female swearing—as 'bother!' 'gracious!' 'how jolly!'"
Awkward squad (military and nautical), a squad formed of the men who are backward in drill instruction. The French have the corresponding term, "Le peloton des maladroits."
Axe to grind, an (American, political), said when a man who has some pet scheme or hobby of his own in view, supports another who may in the future be useful to him. Such men are said to have axes to grind.
Special legislation in behalf of private interests is one of the curses of this country, otherwise so blessed by the smiles of Divine Providence. The number of axes which are taken to the various State Capitols, to be ground at the public expense, is perfectly enormous.—New York Tribune.
The phrase is derived from a story told by Benjamin Franklin in his life. Once when he was a boy, a man who wanted to grind an axe persuaded little Benjamin by flattery to turn the stone till he was utterly weary and his hands were sore, and then when it was done, told him rudely to be off. After this, whenever anybody was extremely amiable, the great American philosopher speculated whether the polite person had not an axe to grind.
Ayah (Anglo-Indian), a Hindoo nurse or lady's attendant. From the Portuguese aia, a nurse.
Ayrshires (Stock Exchange), is used to describe Glasgow and South-Western Railway stock.
