Hurlo-Thrumbo.

A ridiculous burlesque, which in 1730 had an extraordinary run at the Haymarket theatre. So great was its popularity that a club called “The Hurlo-Thrumbo Society” was formed. The author was Samuel Johnson, a half-mad dancing master, who put this motto on the title-page when the burlesque was printed:—

1


“Ye sons of fire, read my Hurlo-Thrumbo,

Turn it betwixt your finger and your thumbo,

And being quite undone, be quite struck dumbo.”

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

Hunters and Runners
Hunting of the Hare
Hunting the Gowk
Hunting the Snark
Hunting two Hares
Huntingdon
Huntingdon Sturgeon (A)
Huon de Bordeaux
Hurdle Race (A)
Hurdy-gurdy
Hurlo-Thrumbo
Hurly-burly
Hurrah
Hurricane
Hurry
Hurry-skurry
Husband
Husband’s Boat (The)
Husband’s Tea
Hush-money
Hushai