take the wall

take the wall
   obsolete to be socially superior
   Those who walked closer to the buildings were less likely to be splashed or jostled. It therefore became a status symbol to occupy that space:
    When I returned to Lichfield, after having been in London, my mother asked me whether I was one of those who gave the wall, or those who took it. Now it is fixed that every man keeps to the right; or, if one is taking the wall, another yields it; and it is never a dispute. (J. Boswell, 1791, quoting Dr Johnson)

How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms. . 2014.

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  • To take the wall — Wall Wall, n. [AS. weall, from L. vallum a wall, vallus a stake, pale, palisade; akin to Gr. ? a nail. Cf. {Interval}.] [1913 Webster] 1. A work or structure of stone, brick, or other materials, raised to some height, and intended for defense or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • the wall — The right of taking the side of the road near the wall when encountering another person, as in the phrase give or take the wall • • • Main Entry: ↑wall …   Useful english dictionary

  • The Wall — Studioalbum von Pink Floyd Veröffentlichung 30. November 1979 …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • The Wall (SoHo) — The Wall is a piece of minimalist art that was constructed in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City. It was part of the building that stands at 599 Broadway until 2002 when the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission gave the owners… …   Wikipedia

  • To drive to the wall — Wall Wall, n. [AS. weall, from L. vallum a wall, vallus a stake, pale, palisade; akin to Gr. ? a nail. Cf. {Interval}.] [1913 Webster] 1. A work or structure of stone, brick, or other materials, raised to some height, and intended for defense or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • To go to the wall — Wall Wall, n. [AS. weall, from L. vallum a wall, vallus a stake, pale, palisade; akin to Gr. ? a nail. Cf. {Interval}.] [1913 Webster] 1. A work or structure of stone, brick, or other materials, raised to some height, and intended for defense or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • The Wall Street Journal — WSJ redirects here. For other uses, see WSJ (disambiguation). The Wall Street Journal April 28, 2008 front page Type Daily newspaper Format …   Wikipedia

  • The Wall — Cet article concerne l’album du groupe Pink Floyd. Pour les autres œuvres de ce groupe liées à cet album, voir The Wall (homonymie). The Wall Album par Pink Floyd Sortie …   Wikipédia en Français

  • The Wall (film) — Pour les articles homonymes, voir The Wall (homonymie). Pink Floyd The Wall …   Wikipédia en Français

  • The Wall — У этого термина существуют и другие значения, см. Стена (значения). О фильме, основанном на этом альбоме, смотрите Стена (фильм). The Wall …   Википедия

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