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.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny, because I haven't changed the display! Blogger!
DeleteWhat was black is now shades of brown! Blogger did it? Too funny.
DeleteIt has not changed for me since you changed it to dark brown, Janice. Boud, maybe you were looking at the blog on a different device?
DeleteI don't believe I have ever used "beggars belief" nor my family either, we are more likely to say unbelievable.
ReplyDelete. . . using the language as it should be used, with no room for misunderstanding! 😃
DeleteBoth 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!
ReplyDeleteThings happen that we would never have envisaged and then become almost normal.
DeleteWandering around in an utter state of shock and dismay, living in the USA...beggar belief with every breath!
ReplyDeleteNothing astonishes any more, simply disgusts and appals.
DeleteInteresting. I never heard that expression before.
ReplyDelete😃
DeleteI like the expression and am pleased that it came from The Bard.
ReplyDeleteWe're all speaking Shakespearian English, one way or another!
DeleteThis 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.
ReplyDeleteSo many empty vessels spouting their opinions!
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ReplyDeleteHug for a nice Sunday!
Thank you, and to you. 😃
DeleteLove learning the Shakespeare link!
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree, daily life gives us plenty of moments that beggar belief.
Perhaps we should have a dedicated good news channel . . .
DeleteYes, way too much beggars belief in this world - and not in a good way.
ReplyDeleteQuite so.
DeleteYes , very much part of our vocabulary these days . Nice to have it explained properly
ReplyDeleteWendy in York
We have jaws permanently agape . . . 😧
DeleteWe all feel the same about so many things in our world, I've said it before those in power serve themselves first.
ReplyDeleteSadly true.
DeleteI wonder if the expression came from an origin using the word bugger.
ReplyDeleteI found this:
DeleteBeggar: This comes from the Old French word begard, which originally referred to a member of a Christian mendicant (begging) order in the 13th century.
Bugger: This stems from the Old French bougre (which meant a heretic). It originally referred to the Bulgari (a religious sect from Bulgaria), before evolving over centuries into its modern meanings
I've sometimes wondered where that phrase came from - thank you. xx
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful what the web tells us!
DeleteYou can use it in any tone of voice, from gentle to angry.
ReplyDeleteTrue!
DeleteShortly, I swear I will be cursing you! I find myself wondering about the origins of every phrase I utter it seems! You have set the train in motion and it’s hard to stop!
ReplyDeleteThat is precisely my problem . . . I'm sorry to have set you on the same track! 😃
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I've never heard that expression before.
ReplyDeleteFeel free to use it .. . . 🤣😂
DeleteWhat a fascinating history. I've used the phrase for years without ever knowing it came from Shakespeare.
ReplyDeleteMost things seem to trace back to Shakespeare or the Bible!
DeleteIt's best not to hold a rant in too long.
ReplyDeleteSnort!
DeleteI've always loved that expression and often use it myself, but to my shame I had absolutely no idea where it originate from.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I do agree with you that these days too many things in daily life beggar belief! xxx
Things must change soon, no?
DeleteI've never heard of this before, but I do like the expression. Thank you for the history lesson.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure! 😃
DeleteThat's for sure!
ReplyDelete🎶 Things can only get better . . .
DeleteI don't think I've heard the expression before. But it is an apt phrase for current events especially here in the U.S.
ReplyDeleteApposite!
DeleteI fully agree with the final statement in your post. I hope I live long enough to be able to observe that that is no longer true.
ReplyDeleteWe all share that hope.
DeleteWe did a trip around Shakespeare's various houses in Stratford on Avon many years ago when our daughters were school girls and learnt about the derivation of various common words and expressions such as threshold and bed and board. Fascinating!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on some of the aspects of the world today - it beggars belief!
Through the ages we have been appalled and disgusted, so it's nothing new, but events are nonetheless disgraceful.
DeleteI am not sure I ever used the expression, but I do know it, and yes, a lot of things happening in my country (United States) right now would deserve being described by that phrase.
ReplyDeleteSo much sadness and badness in the world today.
Delete"too many things in daily life beggar belief" . . . definitely right!
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Yes!
DeleteThese days my belief is either beggared or buggared.
ReplyDeleteSnap!
ReplyDeleteThere are times it is good to rant, rant away when you feel like it :) Enjoyed this phrase lesson, thank you.
ReplyDeleteRanting is all well and good, but it's knowing when to stop that foxes me . . . 😉
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