._--This old word occurs in the well-known verses in the
opening scene of _Macbeth_--

"When the _hurly burly's_ done,
When the battle's lost and won"--

{392} where see the notes of the commentators for other instances of it.
There are rival etymologies for this word, but all uncertain. The French
has _hurlu-burlu_. Nares in _Hurly_.

_Hurry-scurry._--This word, formed from _hurry_, is used by Gray in his
_Long Story_.

_Nick-nack._--A small ornament. Not in the dictionaries.

_Pic-nic._--For the derivation of this word, which seems to be of French
origin, see "N. & Q.," Vol. vii., pp. 240. 387.

_Pit-pat, or Pit-a-pat._--A word formed from _pat_, and particularly
applied to the pulsations of the heart, when accelerated by emotion. Used
by Ben Jonson and Dryden. Congreve writes it _a-pit-pat_.

_Riff-raff._--The refuse of anything, "Il ne lui lairra rif ny raf."
Cotgrave in _Rif_, where _rif_ is said to mean nothing.

_Rolly-pooly._--"A sort of game" (Johnson). It is now used as the name of a
pudding rolled with sweetmeat.

_Rowdy-dowdy, and Rub-a-dub._--Words formed in imitation of the beat of a
drum.

_Shilly-shally._--Used by Congreve, and formerly written "shill I, shall
I."

_Slip-slop._--"Bad liquor. A low word, formed by reduplication of _slop_"
(Johnson). Now generally applied to errors in pronunciation, arising from
ignorance and carelessness, like those of Mrs. Malaprop in _The Rivals_.

_Tip-top._--Formed from _top_, like _slip-slop_ from _slop_.

_Tirra-lirra._--Used by Shakspeare:

"The lark that _tirra lirra_ chants."--_Winter's Tale_, Act IV. Sc. 2.

From the French, see Nares _in v._

The preceding collection is intended merely to illustrate the principle
upon which this class of words are formed, and does not aim at
completeness. Some of your correspondents will doubtless, if they are
disposed, be able to supply other examples of the same mode of formation.

L.

* * * * *

EARL OF OXFORD.

(Vol. viii., p. 292.)

S. N. will find the Earl's answer in a volume, not very common now,
entitled _A Compleat and Impartial History of the Impeachments of the Last
Ministry_, London, 8vo., 1716. The charge respecting the creation of twelve
peers in one day formed the 16th article of the impeachment. I inclose a
copy of the answer, if not too long for your pages.

G.

"In answer to the 16th article, the said Earl doth insist, that by the
law