It was interesting to watch the UK election coverage last night. In the first hour, there were many references to the Duke of Wellington's worst defeat in the 1832 election, which was the Tories' biggest defeat. His unpopularity at the time led to iron shutters being installed on Apsley House to stop people throwing things, (milkshakes had not been invented then). This led to his nickname 'The Iron Duke', although if you asked most people, they would think it was something to do with 1815.
After about an hour, it was clear that the current Conservatives had done even worse in the election and the Duke's record was gone. I suspect the nickname will still survive however.
Then of course, there are often references by incoming governments all over the world to "the Hundred days" to get their programme going. Although popularised by Roosevelt in a radio speech on 25th July 1933, the origin of this time limit goes back to 1815. But even here, it is not what it seems: the reference to the "Hundred days" was coined by the Prefect of the Seine, the comte de Chabrol de Volvic in a speech welcoming the King's return after he had fled from Paris.
Was there also a Prefect of the Inseine?
First reference to the Hundred Days from Beth Rigby to new PM, Keir Starmer, at his press conference on Friday!
And the comparison of Prime Ministers to “The worst since Lord North”. Of course the cry of “Lord North, where are my colonies?” Is memorable. Granted it has been a hotly contested title, indeed we may see his hapless Lordship replaced in the future. Just shows though the longevity of 18th and 19th century phrases into the modern era.