Why is “as fit as a fiddle” about being fit and well?
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty{ margin-bottom:0;
}
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
This article is on the origin of the idiom as fit as a fiddle. It is said that
of course the 'fiddle' here is the colloquial name for violin. 'Fit'
didn't originally mean healthy and energetic, in the sense it is often
used nowadays to describe the inhabitants of gyms. When this phrase
was coined 'fit' was used to mean 'suitable, seemly', in the way we
now might say 'fit for purpose'.
Was a fiddle really so suitable? Anyway, even if a fiddle is or was always suitable, how is this fact connected with good health?
etymology idioms
asked 2 days ago
Enguroo
2,3131825
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
This article is on the origin of the idiom as fit as a fiddle. It is said that
of course the 'fiddle' here is the colloquial name for violin. 'Fit'
didn't originally mean healthy and energetic, in the sense it is often
used nowadays to describe the inhabitants of gyms. When this phrase
was coined 'fit' was used to mean 'suitable, seemly', in the way we
now might say 'fit for purpose'.
Was a fiddle really so suitable? Anyway, even if a fiddle is or was always suitable, how is this fact connected with good health?
etymology idioms
asked 2 days ago
Enguroo
2,3131825
Research: phrases.org.uk/meanings/40250.html
– user240918
2 days ago
2
The expression goes back to the early 1600s, according to Christine Ammer, American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, who also says, "The original allusion of this simile has been lost. Its survival is probably due to to the pleasant sound of its alliteration." Still, it's a potentially interesting question—and one that seems not to have been asked at this site previously.
– Sven Yargs
2 days ago
2
In making idioms the use of alliteration was always very important. Compare your example with 'as cool as a cucumber'.
– user307254
2 days ago
1
The expression's awkwardness today is perhaps reflected by the number of modern variations that reflect irony e.g. "as fit as a flea", "as fit as a ferret" etc.
– WS2
2 days ago
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
This article is on the origin of the idiom as fit as a fiddle. It is said that
of course the 'fiddle' here is the colloquial name for violin. 'Fit'
didn't originally mean healthy and energetic, in the sense it is often
used nowadays to describe the inhabitants of gyms. When this phrase
was coined 'fit' was used to mean 'suitable, seemly', in the way we
now might say 'fit for purpose'.
Was a fiddle really so suitable? Anyway, even if a fiddle is or was always suitable, how is this fact connected with good health?
etymology idioms
asked 2 days ago
Enguroo
2,3131825
This article is on the origin of the idiom as fit as a fiddle. It is said that
of course the 'fiddle' here is the colloquial name for violin. 'Fit'
didn't originally mean healthy and energetic, in the sense it is often
used nowadays to describe the inhabitants of gyms. When this phrase
was coined 'fit' was used to mean 'suitable, seemly', in the way we
now might say 'fit for purpose'.
Was a fiddle really so suitable? Anyway, even if a fiddle is or was always suitable, how is this fact connected with good health?
etymology idioms
etymology idioms
asked 2 days ago
Enguroo
2,3131825
asked 2 days ago
Enguroo
2,3131825
asked 2 days ago
Enguroo
2,3131825
asked 2 days ago
Enguroo
2,3131825
asked 2 days ago
Enguroo
2,3131825
2,3131825
Research: phrases.org.uk/meanings/40250.html
– user240918
2 days ago
2
The expression goes back to the early 1600s, according to Christine Ammer, American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, who also says, "The original allusion of this simile has been lost. Its survival is probably due to to the pleasant sound of its alliteration." Still, it's a potentially interesting question—and one that seems not to have been asked at this site previously.
– Sven Yargs
2 days ago
2
In making idioms the use of alliteration was always very important. Compare your example with 'as cool as a cucumber'.
– user307254
2 days ago
1
The expression's awkwardness today is perhaps reflected by the number of modern variations that reflect irony e.g. "as fit as a flea", "as fit as a ferret" etc.
– WS2
2 days ago
add a comment |
Research: phrases.org.uk/meanings/40250.html
– user240918
2 days ago
2
The expression goes back to the early 1600s, according to Christine Ammer, American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, who also says, "The original allusion of this simile has been lost. Its survival is probably due to to the pleasant sound of its alliteration." Still, it's a potentially interesting question—and one that seems not to have been asked at this site previously.
– Sven Yargs
2 days ago
2
In making idioms the use of alliteration was always very important. Compare your example with 'as cool as a cucumber'.
– user307254
2 days ago
1
The expression's awkwardness today is perhaps reflected by the number of modern variations that reflect irony e.g. "as fit as a flea", "as fit as a ferret" etc.
– WS2
2 days ago
Research: phrases.org.uk/meanings/40250.html
– user240918
2 days ago
Research: phrases.org.uk/meanings/40250.html
– user240918
2 days ago
2
2
The expression goes back to the early 1600s, according to Christine Ammer, American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, who also says, "The original allusion of this simile has been lost. Its survival is probably due to to the pleasant sound of its alliteration." Still, it's a potentially interesting question—and one that seems not to have been asked at this site previously.
– Sven Yargs
2 days ago
The expression goes back to the early 1600s, according to Christine Ammer, American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, who also says, "The original allusion of this simile has been lost. Its survival is probably due to to the pleasant sound of its alliteration." Still, it's a potentially interesting question—and one that seems not to have been asked at this site previously.
– Sven Yargs
2 days ago
2
2
In making idioms the use of alliteration was always very important. Compare your example with 'as cool as a cucumber'.
– user307254
2 days ago
In making idioms the use of alliteration was always very important. Compare your example with 'as cool as a cucumber'.
– user307254
2 days ago
1
1
The expression's awkwardness today is perhaps reflected by the number of modern variations that reflect irony e.g. "as fit as a flea", "as fit as a ferret" etc.
– WS2
2 days ago
The expression's awkwardness today is perhaps reflected by the number of modern variations that reflect irony e.g. "as fit as a flea", "as fit as a ferret" etc.
– WS2
2 days ago
add a comment |
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language & Usage Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Some of your past answers have not been well-received, and you're in danger of being blocked from answering.
Please pay close attention to the following guidance:
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f474634%2fwhy-is-as-fit-as-a-fiddle-about-being-fit-and-well%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Research: phrases.org.uk/meanings/40250.html
– user240918
2 days ago
2
The expression goes back to the early 1600s, according to Christine Ammer, American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, who also says, "The original allusion of this simile has been lost. Its survival is probably due to to the pleasant sound of its alliteration." Still, it's a potentially interesting question—and one that seems not to have been asked at this site previously.
– Sven Yargs
2 days ago
2
In making idioms the use of alliteration was always very important. Compare your example with 'as cool as a cucumber'.
– user307254
2 days ago
1
The expression's awkwardness today is perhaps reflected by the number of modern variations that reflect irony e.g. "as fit as a flea", "as fit as a ferret" etc.
– WS2
2 days ago