E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Dublin (the Irish dubh-linn, the “black pool”).
The chief part of the city stands on land reclaimed from the river Liffey or the sea.
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True as the De’il is in Dublin city. (Burns: Death and Dr. Hornbook.) Probably Burns refers to the Scandinavian name Divelin, which suggested first Divel and then Devil or Deil.
