E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Hurry.
The Mahouts cheer on their elephants by repeating ur-ré, the Arab&sgrave; their camels by shouting ar-ré, the French their hounds by shouts of hare, the Germans their horses by the word hurs, the herdsmen of Ireland their cattle by shouting hurrish. (Welsh, gyru, to drive; Armenian, haura, to hasten; Latin, curro, to run; etc.)
1
Don’t hurry, Hopkins. A satirical reproof to those who are not prompt in their payments. It is said that one Hopkins, of Kentucky, gave his creditor a promissory note on which was this memorandum, “The said Hopkins is not to be hurried in paying the above.”
