| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. | | | | Roche. | | | | Men of la vieille roche. Old fashioned men; men of fossilised ideas; non-progressive men. A geological expression. | 1 | | | “Perhaps it may be justly attributed to a class of producers, men of la vieille roche, that they have been so slow to apprehend the changes which are daily presenting themselves in the requirements of trade.”—The Times. |
| | Sir Boyle Roche’s bird. Sir Boyle Roche, quoting from Jevon’s play (The Devil of a Wife), said on one occasion in the House, “Mr. Speaker, it is impossible I could have been in two places at once, unless I were a bird.” | 2 | | | “Presuming that the duplicate card is the knave of hearts, you may make a remark on the ubiquitous nature of certain cards, which, like Sir Boyle Roche’s bird, are in two places at once.”—Drawing-room Magic. |
| | |
|
|
