E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Ampersand,
the character made thus, “&” = and. In the old Horn-books, after giving the twenty-six letters, the character & was added, and was called “Ampersand,” a corruption of “and per-se &” (and by itself, and). A B C D … . X Y Z &.
1
“Any odd shape folks understand
To mean my Protean amperzand.”
Punch (17 April, 1869, p. 153, col. 2).
The martyr Bradford, says Lord Russell, was “A per se A” with them, “to their comfort,” etc.—i.e. stood alone in their defence.
