21 OCTOBER 1911, Page 26

A New English Dictionary. Edited by Sir James A. Murray.

Vol. ix., Sinrpts-Sleep, by W. G. Craigie, LL.D. (Clarendon Press. Ss.)—We may take as an example of the information to be gained the familiar word " sirloin." It really comes from the old French sur/oigne, a variety of surionge, sur, over, and longs, loin. The common derivation is that some English king (Fuller says Henry VIII, Swift James I., and The Cook's Oracle (1821) Charles II.) was so delighted with a fine specimen of the dish that he knighted it.