英语词源字典 - 在线词源网站

Hessian (n.)[Hessian 词源字典]: "resident of the former Landgraviate of Hessen-Kassel," western Germany; its soldiers being hired out by the ruler to fight for other countries, especially the British during the American Revolution, the name Hessians (unjustly) became synonymous with "mercenaries." Hessian fly (Cecidomyia destructor) was a destructive parasite the ravaged U.S. crops late 18c., so named 1787 in erroneous belief that it was carried into America by the Hessians.[Hessian etymology, Hessian origin, 英语词源]
railroad (v.): "to convict quickly and perhaps unjustly," 1873, American English, from railroad (n.).
A person knowing more than might be desirable of the affairs, or perhaps the previous life of some powerful individual, high in authority, might some day ventilate his knowledge, possibly before a court of justice; but if his wisdom is railroaded to State's prison, his evidence becomes harmless. ["Wanderings of a Vagabond," New York, 1873]
Related: Railroaded; railroading. An earlier verb sense was "to have a mania for building railroads" (1847).
undue (adj.): late 14c., "not owing or payable; unjustly demanded," also "not appropriate, unseasonable," also "excessive," from un- (1) "not" + past participle of due (v.). Formed on model of Old French indeu, Latin indebitus.
unduly (adv.): late 14c., "without due moderation; improperly, unsuitably;" see undue + -ly (2). From early 15c. as "unjustly, wrongfully."
unjust (adj.): late 14c., of persons, "sinful; perpetrating injustice," from un- (1) "not" + just (adj.). Of actions, from c. 1400. Related: Unjustly.