It beggars belief
To beggar belief, sometimes expressed as to beggar description, means that some thing or circumstance is so extraordinary that it is unbelievable, or incomprehensible, or outrageous.
The phrase originated in the 17th century, when ‘beggar’ meant to impoverish or reduce to beggary. It was first used by Shakespeare in ‘Antony and Cleopatra,’ written in 1606. In Act II, Scene II, Enobarbus describes the stunning beauty of Cleopatra as she sails the River Cydnus in her golden barge.
‘For her own person,
It beggared all description; she did lie
In her pavilion – cloth-of-gold, of tissue -
O’erpicturing that Venus where we see
The fancy outwork Nature.’
I am not in the mood to rant today, but too many things in daily life beggar belief.
This display is a whole lot more readable, very welcome! I think beggars used in that sense is echt Brit.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe I have ever used "beggars belief" nor my family either, we are more likely to say unbelievable.
ReplyDeleteBoth my parents used to use this phrase & I am familiar with it & used to just nod & agree with them. I agree with YOU Janice ... way too many things in this day & age beggar belief - we just shake our heads in disbelief!
ReplyDeleteWandering around in an utter state of shock and dismay, living in the USA...beggar belief with every breath!
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I never heard that expression before.
ReplyDeleteI like the expression and am pleased that it came from The Bard.
ReplyDeleteThis is not a phrase with which I am familiar, but it was easily understandable even without reading your explanation/history. Perhaps because I like Shakespeare. ;-) And, yes, it "beggars belief" how relentlessly outspoken some without a clue about the true state of affairs are these days. Just gotta "smh" as some of us o'er here say.
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ReplyDeleteHug for a nice Sunday!
Love learning the Shakespeare link!
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree, daily life gives us plenty of moments that beggar belief.
Yes, way too much beggars belief in this world - and not in a good way.
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