People in expressions,who are they?

[missmooncat]

I`ve always wondered if sayings with names in are they real people does anyone know?I mean things like

Smart Alec

Nosey Parker

Peeping Tom

Jack of all Trades

THANKS

[mallory]

I used to know a Gordon Bennett and a **** ****! So maybe the others are real people!

[n00dles]

Peeping Tom was a character from Lady Godiva - the only one (likely story!) to look on as she rode by.

Smart Alex (Alexander) originated from USA and like mallory I've known a few smart """""!! too!!!

[n00dles]

Forgot one other.... used to know a Jack A Nory!!!

[Mr Songman]

SMART ALEC.

According to G.L. Cohen, author of Studies in Slang Part 1 (1985), the phrase smart alec(k) arose from the exploits of one Alec Hoag. A celebrated pimp, thief, and confidence man operating out of New York City in the 1840's, Mr. Hoag, along with his wife Melinda and an accomplice known as "French Jack," operated a con called the "panel game," a method by which prostitutes and their pimps robbed foolish customers.


A search of several dictionaries pretty much confirms this definition. The Oxford English Dictionary, so beloved on this website, traces it to mid-1860s slang, while the American Heritage Dictionary (4th ed., 2000) and Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (16th ed., 1999) tentatively trace the etymology of the phrase to Hoag.


NOSEY PARKER.
http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-nos2.htm
or

http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=19990420

PEEPING TOM.

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/peeping-tom.html

JACK OF ALL TRADES.

http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/4/messages/946.html

Hope this helps.

[Ethel]

Gordon Bennet

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/164200.html

[joko]

who are tom, dick and harry?

lazy susan?

not sure i believe that noodles - jack. a. nory?

[missmooncat]

thanks a lot very intersting does anyone know anymore?

My dad used to say -Bloody Nora,has anyone any idea on this one?

thanks

[lankeela]

What about Clever Dick?