E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Nancy.
The sailor’s choice in Dibdin’s exquisite song beginning, “’Twas post meridian half-past four.” At half-past four he parted by signal from his Nancy; at eight he bade her a long adieu; next morn a storm arose, and four sailors were washed overboard, “but love forbade the waves to snatch our tar from Nancy”; when the storm ceased an enemy appeared, but when the battle was hottest our gallant friend “put up a prayer and thought on Nancy.”
1
Miss Nancy. Mrs. Anna Oldfield, a celebrated actress, buried in Westminster Abbey. She died in 1730, and her remains lay in state, attended by two noblemen. She was buried in a very fine Brussels lace head-dress, a holland shift, with a tucker and double-ruffles of the same lace, new kid gloves, etc.
