E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Devil looking Over Lincoln. (The).
Sir W. Scott in his Kenilworth has, “Like the Devil looking over Lincoln.” A correspondent of Notes and Queries, September 10th, 1892, says—
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“The famous devil that used to overlook Lincoln College, in Oxford, was taken down (Wednesday, September 15th, 1731), having about two years since [previously] lost his head in a storm.”—Gentleman’s Magazine, 1831, p. 402.
We have other similar phrases, as “The devil looking over Durham.”
We have other similar phrases, as “The devil looking over Durham.”
