One of my favorite aspects of writing a Dictionary of Christianese is that I get to learn so much about the history of the church, especially the relatively recent history of the past 100 to 200 years.
historical
happy Eliza
If your name became a Christianese expression, what might it refer to? Is there a quality or attribute about you that you would want to be remembered by? See especially the 1800 and 1998 citations below to see why this bit of Christian culture history always brings a smile to my face.
I have a loud laugh—maybe I could be “Chuckling Tim.” But I hope I am generally remembered as a joyful, happy person.
Happy Eliza n. Also: Eliza. ‹Salvation Army› A female member of the Salvation Army.
See also *Glory Tom.
• 1800 Coates The Prophet of the Poor (1906) 116 : “Happy Eliza” [Haynes] … was a girl who belonged to the roughest factory class [before] … joining the Salvation Army, in which she became a very zealous worker. Once at Nottingham [in 1800], when the usual advertisements had failed to draw a crowd, she marched through the town with streamers floating from her hair and jacket, and a placard across her back with the words, “I am Happy Eliza.” 2000 Winston Red-Hot and Righteous 24 : Those in the Army’s ranks adopted monikers such as “Happy Eliza,” “Smiling Lydia,” and “Laughing Kate.”
Eliza n. ‹Salvation Army› Syn *Happy Eliza.
Converted Jane n. ‹Salvation Army› Syn *Happy Eliza.
Smiling Lydia n. ‹Salvation Army› Syn *Happy Eliza.
Laughing Kate n. ‹Salvation Army› Syn *Happy Eliza.
Glory Tom n. ‹Salvation Army› The male equivalent of *Happy Eliza.
Jerusalem Slim, Nazareth Blacky
Two interesting Christianese terms from the streets are Jerusalem Slim and Nazareth Blacky, both of which are tramp-style nicknames for Jesus.