† a. Obs. form of the personal name JAMES. b. In mod. use (after Thackeray), a ludicrous name for a liveried footman. Hence Jeames-ism nonce-wd., flunkeyism.
c. 1600. Norden, Spec. Brit., Cornw., Ded. To the most high and mightie Prince Ieames, by diuine prouidence, kinge of Englande, Scotland, Fraunce, and Irelande. Ibid. (1728), 22. That is betwene St. Jeames tide and the feast of All Saynts.
1846. Thackeray (title), The Diary of C. Jeames de la Pluche, Esq. Ibid. (1859), Virgin., xxxvii. Jeames with his cocked hat and long cane, [is] passing out of the world.
1875. Jas. Grant, One of the ‘600,’ xv. She and her family … attended by a tall ‘Jeames’ in plush.
1883. Athenæum, 12 Oct., 459/1. ‘Students of the social history and manners of courts’—which seems to be the latest modern euphemism for ‘Jeames-ism’ in literature.
