Corinthian values

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Does anyone know the origin of this expression? Is it biblical or classical? I have a notion that the Corinthian/Commoners dichotomy is analogous to Gentlemen/Players, the Corinthians being successors to Dandies and similar high- (and loose-) living young gentlemen of means. Does it pre-date the formation of the Corinthians football club in 1882?
Noel

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]Does anyone know the origin of this expression? Is it biblical or classical?[/nq]
Classical.
I have a notion that the Corinthian/Commoners dichotomy is
[nq:1]analogous to Gentlemen/Players, the Corinthians being successors to Dandies and similar high- (and loose-) living young gentlemen of means. Does it pre-date the formation of the Corinthians football club in 1882?[/nq]
You have curious notions. It relates to the ideal of amateur sport - associated with Greece, for some reason, cf Olympic Games.
John Briggs

Usenet · Answer

As does the OED (most quotations snipt):
A. adj.

3. 'Relating to the licentious manners of Corinth' (J.),profligate; in 19th c. use: Given to elegant dissipation.
4. (U.S.) Yachting. Amateur.
1885 Harper's Mag. June 83/1 On the yacht of a friend whowas fond of sailing Corinthian races.
B. n.

2. (From the proverbial wealth, luxury, and licentiousnessof ancient Corinth):
{dag}a. A wealthy man; a
profligate idler; a gay, licentious man; also, a
shameless or 'brazen-faced' fellow (cf. A. 1c). Obs.

b. A 'swell'; a man of fashion about town.
'In the third decade of the present century the word, both as a substantive and an adjective, was at the height of its popularity' (Latham).
1819 MOORE Tom Crib's Mem. 9 (Farmer) 'Twas divertingto see, as one ogled around, How Corinthians and
Commoners mixed on the ground.
c. A wealthy amateur of sport who rides his own horses, steers his own yacht, etc.; esp. in U.S. an amateur yachtsman.
Hence Co{sm}rinthianism.
[nq:1]It relates to the ideal of amateur sport - associated with Greece, for some reason, cf Olympic Games.[/nq]
Peter Duncanson, UK
(in uk.culture.language.english)

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Classical. I have a notion that the Corinthian/Commoners dichotomy is You have curious notions.[/nq]
[nq:1]As does the OED (most quotations snipt):[/nq]
They are confusing two different meanings.

John Briggs

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]As does the OED (most quotations snipt):[/nq]
Could you post at least the dates for the quotations for various meanings, as this is nearer what the OP was after?

Usenet · Answer

Why so curious? Do you have any evidence for a particular link between Corinth (either in biblical or classical times) and the ideal of amateur sport of any other variety than /to corinthiazesthai/ (fornication)?
Noel

Corinthian values

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