‖ Hans
(hans)
A familiar abbreviated form in German and Dutch of Johannes, John; hence, a German or Dutchman.
| 1569 Harding in Jewel's Sedit. Bul (1570) 5 Accused by Hicke, Hob, and Haunce, and judged by Jacke and Gill. 1667 Ld. Orrery State Lett. (1743) II. 202 We shall give Monsieur, or Hans, or both, good entertainment. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. 485 For Hans, after filling the pockets of his huge trunk hose with our money..would, as soon as a press gang appeared, lay claim to the privileges of an alien. |
† b. Hans-in-kelder (Dutch, lit. Jack-in-cellar): an unborn child; cf. Ger. Hänschen im keller.
| 1635 Brome Sparagus Garden iii. iv. Wks. 1873 III. 159 Come here's a health to the Hans in Kelder, and the mother of the boy, if it prove so. 1648 Needham Mercurius Pragmaticus No. i. A iij b (Stanf.), The Birthday of that precious new government; which is yet but a Hans-en-kelder. 1656 in Blount Glossogr. 1663 Dryden Wild Gallant v. ii, It seems you are desirous I should father this hans en kelder here. 1785 in Grose Dict. Vulg. Tongue. |