E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Holopher’nes (4 syl.).
Master Tubal Holophernes. The great sophister-doctor, who, in the course of five years and three months, taught Gargantua to say his A B C backward. (Rabelais: Gargantua, book i. 14.)
1
Holofernes, in Love’s Labour’s Lost. Shakespeare satirises in this character the literary affections of the Lyly school. An anagram of Joh’nes Florio.
