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Sarunnio Posted 16 years ago
Vocabulary

Burning the late-night oil

What does "burning the late-night oil" mean?
  

Top answer

That expression comes from the period after mankind advanced from candles to oil lamps. You're staying up late reading/studying/inventing/working/etc. In my day, the oil was kerosene, but I believe at one time whale oil was used.

— Avangi

  • That expression comes from the period after mankind advanced from candles to oil lamps.
  • You're staying up late reading/studying/inventing/working/etc.
  • In my day, the oil was kerosene, but I believe at one time whale oil was used.
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2 Answers
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That expression comes from the period after mankind advanced from candles to oil lamps.

You're staying up late reading/studying/inventing/working/etc.

In my day, the oil was kerosene, but I believe at one time whale oil was used.
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AvangiThat expression comes from the period after mankind advanced from candles to oil lamps.You're staying up late reading/studying/inventing/working/etc.In my day, the oil was kerosene, but I believe at one time whale oil was used.
It's common in the US to call it the "midnight oil". But I've always used electricity.
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