E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
King Over the Water (The).
The Young Pretender, or Chevalier Charles Edward.
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“My father so far compromised his loyalty as to announce merely ‘The king,’ as his first toast after dinner, instead of the emphatic ‘King George.’ … Our guest made a motion with his glass, so as to pass it over the water-decanter which stood beside him, and added, ‘Over the water.’”—Sir W. Scott: Redgauntlet, letter v.
