Brewer's: Harris

Mrs. Harris. An hypothetical lady, to whom Sarah Gamp referred for the corroboration of all her statements, and the bank on which she might draw to any extent for self-praise. (Dickens: Martin Chuzzlewit.) (See Brooks Of Sheffield.)

“Not Mrs. Harris in the immortal narrative was more quoted and more mythical.” —Lord Lytton.

Harry (To) = to harass. Facetiously said to be derived from Harry VIII. of England, who no doubt played up old Harry with church property. Of course, the real derivation is the Anglo-Saxon herian, to plunder, from hare (2 syl.), an army.

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