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Darʹbies (2 syl.)

.

Handcuffs. This is derived from “Darby and Joan,” because orginally two prisoners were linked together as Darby and Joan.

“Hark ye! Jem Clink will fetch you the darbies.”—Sir W. Scott: Peveril of the Peak.

⁂ Johnny Darbies, policemen, is a perversion of the French gensdarmes, in conjunction with the above.

 

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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Dannocks
Danse
Dansker
Dante and Beatrice
Dantesque
Daphnaida
Daphne
Daphnis
Dapper
Dapple
Darbies
Darby and Joan
Darbyites
Darics (or) Stateres Darici
Dariolet, Dariolette (French)
Darius
Dark
Dark Ages
Dark Continent (The)
Dark Horse (A)
Darkest Hour is that before the Dawn (The)