E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
¶ Horse,
in the British Army:
1
Elliott’s Light Horse. The 15th Hussars of the British Army; so called from Colonel Elliott. They are now called the “King’s Hussars.”
2
Paget’s Irregular Horse. The 4th Hussars; so called from their loose drill, after their return from India in 1839. Now called “The Queen’s Hussars.”
3
The Black Horse. The 7th Dragoon Guards, or Princess Royal’s Dragoon Guards; called “black” from its facings.
4
The Blue Horse. The 4th Dragoon Guards; called “blue” from their facings.
5
The Green Horse or “The Green Dragoon Guards.” The 5th Dragoon Guards; called “green” from their facings. “The Princess Charlotte of Wales’s Dragoon Guards.”
6
The Royal Horse Guards (called, in 1690, Oxford Blues from their blue facings) are the three heavy cavalry regiments of the Household Brigade, first raised in 1661.
7
The White Horse. The old 8th Foot; now called “The King’s” (Liverpool Regiment); called the “White Horse” from one of the badges—a white horse within the garter.
