Namby

Namby is a term that originated in the early 18th century and was used to refer to a supporter of the Jacobite cause. The Jacobites were those who supported the claim of the exiled Stuart dynasty to the thrones of England, Scotland, and Ireland. The term "Namby" is believed to be a corruption of the name "James," referring to James Stuart, the Old Pretender, who was the son of the deposed King James II.

The word gained popularity around the time of the Jacobite risings, particularly the 1715 rising. Supporters of the Stuart cause often used coded language to identify themselves and avoid persecution from the Hanoverian government. "Namby" served as a discreet way to refer to one's allegiance to the Stuarts. It was often used in a derogatory manner by their opponents, the Whigs, who supported the Hanoverian succession.

While the term was primarily used in England and Scotland, its usage declined as the Jacobite movement weakened after the failed 1745 rising. Today, "Namby" is largely an archaic term, primarily encountered in historical texts discussing the Jacobite period. It serves as a linguistic marker of a specific political faction and its associated secret communication methods during a turbulent era in British history.