| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Nail. | | |
|
Down on the nail, Pay down on the nail. In ready money. In Latin: “Super unguem;” in French: “Sur l’ongle;” as, “Boire la goutte sur l’ongle” (see SUPERNACULUM), “Payer rubis sur l’ongle,” where rubis means red wine. The Latin ungulus (from unguis) means a “shot” or reckoning, hence ungulum dare, to pay one’s reckoning. | 1 |
| |
“Quo quibus prisis, et cariagiis pleana flat solucio super unguem.”—An Indenture dated July 15th, 1326 (Scot’s Act) |
|
| |
 O’Keefe says: “In the centre of Limerick Exchange is a pillar with a circular plate of copper about three feet in diameter, called The Nail, on which the earnest of all stock-exchange bargains has to be paid.” (Recollections.) |
|
| |
A similar custom prevailed at Bristol, where were four pillars, called nails, in front of the Exchange for a similar purpose. In Liverpool Exchange there is a plate of copper called The Nail, on which bargains are settled. |
|
|
Hung on the nail. Up the spout, put in pawn. The custom referred to is that of hanging each pawn on a nail, with a number attached, and giving the customer a duplicate thereof. Very similar to the custom of guarding hats, cloaks, walking-sticks, and umbrellas, in public exhibitions and assemblies. | 2 |
|
To hit the nail on the head. To come to a right conclusion. In Latin, “Rem tenes.” The Germans have the exact phrase, “Den Nagel auf den kopf treffen.” | 3 |
| |
| | |
|
|
