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Hurlo-Thrumbo

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A ridiculous burlesque, which in 1730 had an extraordinary run at the Haymarket theatre. So great was its popularity that a club called “The Hurlo-Thrumbo Society” was formed. The author was Samuel Johnson, a half-mad dancing master, who put this motto on the title-page when the burlesque was printed:—

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“Ye sons of fire, read my Hurlo-Thrumbo,

Turn it betwixt your finger and your thumbo,

And being quite undone, be quite struck dumbo.”

 

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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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Hunters and Runners
Hunting of the Hare
Hunting the Gowk
Hunting the Snark
Hunting two Hares
Huntingdon
Huntingdon Sturgeon (A)
Huon de Bordeaux
Hurdle Race (A)
Hurdy-gurdy
Hurlo-Thrumbo
Hurly-burly
Hurrah
Hurricane
Hurry
Hurry-skurry
Husband
Husband’s Boat (The)
Husband’s Tea
Hush-money
Hushai