Benford's G&S Lexicon Entries for The Gondoliers

Dam up or stop.

Fancy, or believe.

A carriage drawn by a pair of horses. In those days only people of wealth would be so equipped. See also Patience.

This would place the queen at the king’s right hand, the traditional place of honor. There are dozens of Biblical references to that being the place of honor, and this custom carried through to Victoria’s day (287) and even modern times. See Knight (178) for details on the exceptional cases where the king and queen would switch sides. This will give you some idea about how seriously the royal family takes such grave matters. Napoleon, too, paid attention. Castelot (69) tells about an incident that occurred shortly before Napoleon crowned himself emperor. As the Pope approached Paris to attend the magnificent coronation, Napoleon met him and insisted that the Pope join him in Napoleon’s carriage. As the two walked to the vehicle, Napoleon carefully contrived to enter it by the right hand door, leaving the Holy Father to ride into the city seated on his left. Oneupsmanship at its best.

Take first prize, or otherwise win the competition. Brewer (56) says the expression dates back to earlier days, before cups were given to winners of horse races, when little gold or silver bells were awarded.

Pronunciation: EBB-ah-LISH-en

Unconstrained.

Open porches, often with tent-like covers, possibly decorated with banners. The word can also mean tents, or small ornamental buildings in gardens. See also Princess Ida.

A high official of state, probably the Lord Chancellor.

In England a nobleman ranking above a viscount and below a marquis. See also entry for “Duchesses” in Iolanthe.

Pronunciation: MAR-kwiss

A nobleman ranking above an earl but below a duke.

Dialectical pronunciation of “duke,” the highest order of nobility in the British peerage.

Pronunciation: Rhymes with suits

This refers to Thomas Coutts (1735-1822) who, with his brother, James, formed the London banking house of Coutts and Company. Its origins, however, date back to 1692 and a company founded by one Thomas Campbell (112, 224). The bank is still in business and prides itself on being bankers to the royal family and privy purse. An article in the New York Times (153) shows a picture of the Queen’s messenger arriving at the bank. It seems he is conveyed there each day in a horse-drawn carriage. Tradition is just as strong within the walls; all male employees must be clean-shaven and wear frock coats.

Tableware or ornaments of silver or gold. See also The Pirates of Penzance.

Frame of iron bars to hold fuel in a fireplace.

Holding established views.

“The driver’s seat on a carriage” (75).

A frame in which a guilty person is clamped for public ridicule and abuse. See also The Yeomen of the Guard.

Pronunciation: winde

Use the poetic pronunciation to make it rhyme with kind. See also Princess Ida.

Pronunciation: ZEE-beek

Pronunciation: KEY

A landing place for ships built along the bank of a body of water.

“A toy consisting of a cup at the end of a stem to which a ball is attached by a string, the object being to toss the ball and catch it in the cup … Also the game played with this” (228).

A game for two players requiring not even so much as an old deck of cards. In one version, starting with a clenched fist, the challenger holds up a number of fingers of his hand in an attempt to match the number simultaneously held up by the defender. The two players alternate in the roles of defender and challenger. The one who first succeeds in matching the defender a given number of times wins the contest. Versions of the game have been traced back to the ancient Romans and Egyptians.

The most essential part, or essence.

Model of excellence, e.g., a Savoy opera.

Deprived.

The barest necessities of life (54). See also The Grand Duke.

To air or bring up for discussion.

Something assumed under the law even though it is obviously untrue in any literal sense. See also The Grand Duke.