Chapter Black Friars to Black Sheep of B by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Black Republicans The Republicans were so called by the pro-slavery party of the States, because they resisted the introduction of slavery into any State where it was not already recognised.

Black Rod i.e. “Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod,” so called from his staff of office- a black wand surmounted by a lion.

Black Rood of Scotland The “piece of the true cross” or rood, set in an ebony crucifix, which Margaret, the wife of King Malcolm, left at death to the Scottish nation. It passed into various hands, but was lost at the Reformation.

Black Russia Central and Southern Russia is so called from its black soil

“The winter crops in the whole of European Russia are very good, especially in the black-earth regions. In the government of Northern Russia the condition is less favourable.”- Newspaper paragraph, December, 1893.

Black Saturday August 4th, 1621; so called in Scotland, because a violent storm occurred at the very moment the Parliament was sitting to enforce episcopacy on the people.

Black Sea So called from the abounding black rock in the extensive coal-fields between the Bosphorus and Heracle'a.

Black Sheep [Kârâ-Koin-loo ]. A tribe of Turkomans, so called from their standards. This tribe was extirpated by the White Sheep (q.v.).
   A Black Sheep. A disgrace to the family; a mauvais sujet; a workman who will not join in a strike. Black sheep are looked on with dislike by shepherds, and are not so valuable as white ones.