E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Calig’ula.
A Roman emperor; so called because he wore a military sandal called a calga, which had no upper leather, and was used only by the common soldiers. (12, 37–41.)
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“‘The word caligæ, however,’ continued the Baron … ‘means, in its primitive sense,
sandals; and Caius Cæsar … received the cognomen of Caligula, a caligis, sive cal’igis levio’ribus, quibus adolescentior non fuerat in exercitu German’ici patris sui. And the caligœ were also proper to the monastic bodies; for we read in the ancient Glossarium, upon the rule of St. Benedict … that caligœ were tied with latchets.”—Scott: Waverley, xlviii.
ga, which had no upper leather, and was used only by the common soldiers. (12, 37–41.)
