E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Nom.
“Nom de guerre” is French for a “war name,” but really means an assumed name. It was customary at one time for everyone who entered the French army to assume a name; this was especially the case in the times of chivalry, when knights went by the device of their shields or some other distinctive character in their armour, as the “Red-cross Knight.”
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“Nom de plume.” English-French for the “pen name,” and meaning the name assumed by a writer who does not choose to give his own name to the public; as Peter Pindar, the nom de plume of Dr. John Wolcot; Peter Parley, of Mr. Goodrich; Currer Bell, of Charlotte Brontë; Cuthbert Bede, of the Rev. Edward Bradley, etc.
