Once and future?

Question

I did't find any clues to the meaning of "once and future" (king, hope). Can someone explain, please?

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Arthur was the king once (ie in the past) and he wil be the king again in the future.

Best wishes, Clive

Damiana · Answer

Thank you! And is the epithet applicable to other nouns, or is "once and future king" rather phraseological? The Google gave me an example as odd as "The Once and Future Carbohydrate Economy".

Forbes · Answer

In Le Morte d'Arthur Sir Thomas Mallory wrote:

But many say there is written upon his [Arthur's] tomb this verse:

HIC IACET ARTHURUS, REX QUONDAM REXQUE FUTURUS

(Here lies Arthur, king once and in king in the future.)

T.H. White's book is entitled The Once and Future King. I have no idea if this is the first use of the phrase, but it certainly helped to make it known.

Clive · Answer

Hi Damiana,

And is the epithet applicable to other nouns, or is "once and future king" rather phraseological? The Google gave me an example as odd as "The Once and Future Carbohydrate Economy".

The phrase is certainly idiomatic. I wouldn't recommend that you get into the habit of using it in everyday conversation.

Best wishes, Clive

MrPedantic · Answer

DamianaThank you! And is the epithet applicable to other nouns, or is "once and future king" rather phraseological? The Google gave me an example as odd as "The Once and Future Carbohydrate Economy".

Additionally, I would say that any use of "once and future" is a reference back to the Arthurian phrase (most probably, slightly humorously).

MrP

Once and future?

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