| 释义 |
the little gentleman in the velvet coat the little gentleman in the velvet coatobsolete, literary A humorous name for the mole. The ground was dotted with tiny hills. "What is it that made these?" I asked my uncle. "Why, the little gentleman in the velvet coat," he replied, suppressing a smile.See also: coat, gentleman, little, velvetthe little gentleman in the velvet coat the mole. humorous This expression was a toast used by the Jacobites, supporters of the deposed James II and his descendants in their claim to the British throne. It referred to the belief that the death of King William III resulted from complications following a fall from his horse when it stumbled over a molehill. The phrase is found in various other forms, including the wee gentleman in black velvet .See also: coat, gentleman, little, velvet |