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Dunʹstable

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Bailey, as if he actually believed it, gives the etymology of this word Dunsʹ stable; adding Duns or “Dunus was a robber in the reign of Henry I., who made it dangerous for travellers to pass that way.” (Dunes or duns tacell, our tablei.e. the table-land or flat of the hills.)

Plain as the road to Dunstable; or, as Shakespeare says, “Plain as way to parish church.” The road leading to Dunstable is the confluence of many leading to London, but the play is on the word dunce.

 

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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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Dunciad
Dunderhead
Dundreary (Lord)
Dungaree
Dunghill!
Dunghill
Dunkers
Dunmow
Dunmow Flitch
Duns Scotus
Dunstable
Dunstan (St.)
Duodecimo
Duomo (The)
Dup
Dupes
Durandana
Durandartë
Durante
Durbar (Indian word)
Durden (Dame)