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Threadneedle Street
A corruption of Thryddanen or Thryddenal Street, meaning third street from
“Chepesyde” to the great thoroughfare from London Bridge to “Bushop
Gate” (consisting of New Fyshe Streate, Gracious Streate, and Bushop
Gate Streate). (Anglo-Saxon, thrydda or thrydde, third.)
Another etymology is Thrig-needle (three-needle street),
from the three needles which the Needlemaker's Company bore in their
arms. It begins from the Mansion House, and therefore the Bank stands
in it.
The Old Lady in Threadneedle Street.
The directors of the Bank of England were so called by William
Cobbett, because, like Mrs. Partington, they tried with their broom to
sweep back the Atlantic waves of national progress.
“A silver curl-paper that I myself took off the shining locks of the
ever-beautiful old lady of Threadneedle Street [a bank-note].” —Dickens: Dr. Marigold.
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894 More on Threadneedle Street from Infoplease:
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