by Chris Harris Origins and First Recorded Use “Old habits die hard” is one of those phrases that feels like it has always existed, and in many ways, it has. The exact wording dates back to 1837, when Nathaniel Hawthorne used it in his novel Fanshawe: “Old habits die hard.” That simple, direct phrasing has … Continue reading Popular Idioms and Phrases and Why We Say: Old Habits Die Hard: Where the Phrase Comes From and Why It Endures
Category: Eclectic Musings
Do Dreary People Know That They Are Dreary?
by Chris Harris It is an interesting question, because most people experience themselves from the inside rather than from the outside. From within their own thoughts and concerns, their behaviour feels normal and justified. What others might perceive as dreary, whether that means overly negative, monotonous, humourless, or simply draining, may feel to them like … Continue reading Do Dreary People Know That They Are Dreary?
British Idioms – Sweet Fanny Adams: The Curious and Tragic Origins of a Familiar Phrase
by Chris Harris Sweet Fanny Adams: The Curious and Tragic Origins of a Familiar British Phrase If someone offers you or asks you for something and you reply, “You’ll get Sweet Fanny Adams,” or FA, of course, everyone understands what you mean. It is one of those phrases that sits comfortably in everyday British conversation. … Continue reading British Idioms – Sweet Fanny Adams: The Curious and Tragic Origins of a Familiar Phrase
The Rights of Fans. 