Press-moneyand Press-men do not mean money given to impress men into the service and men so impressed; but ready money, and men ready for service. When a recruit has received the money, he binds himself to be ready for service whenever his attendance is required. Similarly, a press-gang is a gang to get ready men. (Old French prest, now prêt; Italian presto.) Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894 More on Press-money from Infoplease:
|
24 X 7Private Tutor
Explore Precalculus , Free Math Help
|