Jedburgh justice and Kentish fire

by Paul Anthony Jones

Did you know that Jedburgh Justice is 'executing someone first, then giving them a trial'? Or that Kentish Fire is 'applauding sarcastically to silence your opponents'? From the author of Haggard Hawks and Paltry Poltroons, this is a fascinating collection of curious phrases and expressions from the English language, together with the stories of their etymology and anecdotes about their use in history.