Dick Whittington

English

Etymology

After Richard Whittington (c. 1354–1423), English merchant and politician who served as Lord Mayor of London and financed various public projects. He is remembered in a pantomime called Dick Whittington and His Cat, in which he sets out for London to make his fortune.

Noun

Dick Whittington (plural Dick Whittingtons)

1. (UK) Somebody who moves to London in the hope of better prospects.
   • 1911, The Sunday at Home, page 194:

     "Fine! Ye couldn't beat it. And you'd go off to London, or some such place—"
     "I should like it to be London."
     "Oh, of course; there's plenty of Dick Whittingtons left yet. But there's more petrol than pearls about the London pavement now. […]

   • 2009, What's Up, Britain?, page 42:

     Britain's twenty-somethings have become iPod-carrying Dick Whittingtons, drawn to London by the prospect of large salaries and hopes of a vibrant social life.