E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Siddons (Mrs.).
Sidney Smith says it was never without awe that he saw this tragedy queen stab the potatoes; and Sir Walter Scott tells us, while she was dining at Ashestiel, he heard her declaim to the footman, “You’ve brought me water, boy! I asked for beer.”
