Dictionary of Phrase and Fable—U

Ugly

means hag-like. Mr. Dyer derives it from ouph-lie, like an ough or goblin. The Welsh hagr, ugly, would rather point to hag-lie, like a hag; but we need only go to the Old English verb ugge, to feel an abhorrence of, to stand in fear of. (Icelandic, uggligr, uggr, horror.)

For tha paynes are so felle and harde ...
That ilk man may ugge bothe yhowng and awlde.

Hampole, M.S. Bowes, p. 189.

Ugly

(See Pierre du Coignet.)

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
Ugly as Sin
Udal Tenure
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