0
Elena Posted 21 years ago
Vocabulary
Fall in love
Do you know the origin of this expression?
I just know that it is attested from 1423, from etymonline.com, but why with the verb 'fall'?
I just know that it is attested from 1423, from etymonline.com, but why with the verb 'fall'?
Top answer
That's a tricky one, Elena. Maybe 'fall' in the sense of 'happen': cf. 'it fell upon a summer's day', etc.
- That's a tricky one, Elena.
- Maybe 'fall' in the sense of 'happen': cf.
- 'it fell upon a summer's day', etc.
- Or cf.
- 'fall asleep'.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
3 Answers
0
That's a tricky one, Elena.
Maybe 'fall' in the sense of 'happen': cf. 'it fell upon a summer's day', etc.
Or cf. 'fall asleep'. The two states are very similar.
Or maybe in the sense of 'stumble into': cf. 'to fall into error'.
In Chaucer's 'Sir Thopas' (?1386) we have:
'Sir Thopas fil in love-longinge
Al when he herde the thrustel singe
Maybe 'fall' in the sense of 'happen': cf. 'it fell upon a summer's day', etc.
Or cf. 'fall asleep'. The two states are very similar.
Or maybe in the sense of 'stumble into': cf. 'to fall into error'.
In Chaucer's 'Sir Thopas' (?1386) we have:
'Sir Thopas fil in love-longinge
Al when he herde the thrustel singe
00
Then, to fall into a state of.
Thanks, MrP
Does cf. mean 'confer-compare'?
E
Thanks, MrP
Does cf. mean 'confer-compare'?
E
00
Hello Elena
Yes, cf. = 'compare'.
1423. I wouldn't have thought it was such an old expression. It sounds new-ish to me!
See you
MrP
Yes, cf. = 'compare'.
1423. I wouldn't have thought it was such an old expression. It sounds new-ish to me!
See you
MrP
0
Related Questions