Origin of Animal Idioms in English

Question

Hi,I am doin some research for a class assignment and would like some help. Have searched and serach for some information on the origin of animal idioms or animal realted expressions in the English language. I can't find any...I would really apprecaite ti if you could help me with some information or suggest websites where I can find it..Thanks

Tanit · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Try these websites:

http://www.phrases.org.uk/index.html
http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/
http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/ (select "Dictionary of Idioms" in the dropdown menu)

The first has good discussions on origin of idioms.

The others are fine for finding animal-related idioms (simply type the name of an animal in the box on any of these websites) and for understanding their meanings.

Coffeedesk · Answer

Thanks a heap...

I looked through the websites but still nothing.... nada ...on the history of "animal" related idioms or expressions in the English language...I need about a paragraph worth od stuff.. 100-150 maximum...

the question that I need answered is:

Why, when and how do you think animal-related expressions originated?

Plus I need to quote my sources:)

as always, I'm appealing to your compassion for a very harrowed student...

Tanit · Answer

Hi,

Sorry, I misunderstood your question.
I thought you needed to look into the origin of one specific idiom related to animals.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

coffeedeskWhy, when and how do you think animal-related expressions originated?

Many originated in farming and animal husbandry - especially similies - with the characteristics of common (especially domesticated) animals.
Others come from the reputation of animals as to their legandary nature - from traveller's stories.

He is as stubborn as a mule, dumb / strong as an ox, sly as a fox, timid as a rabbit, brave as a lion ( lion-hearted, ), whale of a tale, slippery as an eel, blind as a bat, busy as a bee

A third source is from literature - old stories and legends such as Aesop's fables, which are moral tales based all on animals.

Coffeedesk · Answer

Hi,

Thanks for that answer, but would u mind terribly if I asked what source you could attribute that to?

Thanks

Coffeedesk · Answer

delete this post...........

Yankee · Answer

I think if you try googling specific animal idioms/expressions along with the word "etymology", you will get some specific history. For example, I googled this:
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&q=%22monkey%27s+uncle%22+etymology&aq=f&oq=&aqi=&fp=-Pw1cEIpNGU

And the very first search result was this:
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/I%27ll_be_a_monkey%27s_uncle

AlpheccaStars · Answer

coffeedeskHi,

Thanks for that answer, but would u mind terribly if I asked what source you could attribute that to?

Thanks

It is my own personal knowledge that is my source.

Cheers,
A-

s

Origin of Animal Idioms in English

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