Meaning of Wigs on the Green
Definition: Wigs on the green refers to barristers who sat in the house of commons. The barristers
wore wigs and the benches they sat on in the House of Commons were green (still are). Wigs on
the Green is a phrase coined by Sir Edward Burtenshaw Sugden, later Baron St Leonards. He
came from humble beginnings; his father was a hairdresser/barber and wig maker, he was a
barrister, MP, Solicitor General of England, Lord Chancellor of Ireland and later Lord Chancellor of
England.
He had lots of quips when hecklers reminded him of where is came from.
'You are right my father was a hair dresser and I myself am now going down to the House to give
the Whigs (wigs) a dressing.'
'I am particular obliged to that gentleman for reminding me of my lowly origins. It is true that I am
a barber’s son and I myself was once a barber. If the gentleman who so politely reminds me of
these facts had been a barber, he would have continued to remain one till the end of his life.'
© youwho October 2015
Definition: Wigs on the green refers to barristers who sat in the house of commons. The barristers
wore wigs and the benches they sat on in the House of Commons were green (still are). Wigs on
the Green is a phrase coined by Sir Edward Burtenshaw Sugden, later Baron St Leonards. He
came from humble beginnings; his father was a hairdresser/barber and wig maker, he was a
barrister, MP, Solicitor General of England, Lord Chancellor of Ireland and later Lord Chancellor of
England.
He had lots of quips when hecklers reminded him of where is came from.
'You are right my father was a hair dresser and I myself am now going down to the House to give
the Whigs (wigs) a dressing.'
'I am particular obliged to that gentleman for reminding me of my lowly origins. It is true that I am
a barber’s son and I myself was once a barber. If the gentleman who so politely reminds me of
these facts had been a barber, he would have continued to remain one till the end of his life.'
© youwho October 2015