Where does the phrase “dead simple” originate?
It feels like there should be a story behind it, or perhaps a type of slang, but I can't find anything in various Web searches.
etymology slang
asked Dec 13 '11 at 19:56
Adam C. EngstAdam C. Engst
4914
add a comment |
It feels like there should be a story behind it, or perhaps a type of slang, but I can't find anything in various Web searches.
etymology slang
asked Dec 13 '11 at 19:56
Adam C. EngstAdam C. Engst
4914
possible duplicate of "Dead simple.." vs. "Really simple.."
– FumbleFingers
Dec 13 '11 at 21:38
From a long-time TidBITS subscriber and reader, welcome to ELU!
– Gnawme
Dec 13 '11 at 22:48
add a comment |
It feels like there should be a story behind it, or perhaps a type of slang, but I can't find anything in various Web searches.
etymology slang
asked Dec 13 '11 at 19:56
Adam C. EngstAdam C. Engst
4914
It feels like there should be a story behind it, or perhaps a type of slang, but I can't find anything in various Web searches.
etymology slang
etymology slang
asked Dec 13 '11 at 19:56
Adam C. EngstAdam C. Engst
4914
asked Dec 13 '11 at 19:56
Adam C. EngstAdam C. Engst
4914
asked Dec 13 '11 at 19:56
Adam C. EngstAdam C. Engst
4914
asked Dec 13 '11 at 19:56
Adam C. EngstAdam C. Engst
4914
asked Dec 13 '11 at 19:56
Adam C. EngstAdam C. Engst
4914
4914
possible duplicate of "Dead simple.." vs. "Really simple.."
– FumbleFingers
Dec 13 '11 at 21:38
From a long-time TidBITS subscriber and reader, welcome to ELU!
– Gnawme
Dec 13 '11 at 22:48
add a comment |
possible duplicate of "Dead simple.." vs. "Really simple.."
– FumbleFingers
Dec 13 '11 at 21:38
From a long-time TidBITS subscriber and reader, welcome to ELU!
– Gnawme
Dec 13 '11 at 22:48
possible duplicate of "Dead simple.." vs. "Really simple.."
– FumbleFingers
Dec 13 '11 at 21:38
possible duplicate of "Dead simple.." vs. "Really simple.."
– FumbleFingers
Dec 13 '11 at 21:38
From a long-time TidBITS subscriber and reader, welcome to ELU!
– Gnawme
Dec 13 '11 at 22:48
From a long-time TidBITS subscriber and reader, welcome to ELU!
– Gnawme
Dec 13 '11 at 22:48
add a comment |
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
Dead here means utterly, absolutely, which is not a slang usage. Etymonline suggests that it hails from the 14th century, but does not explain whence it derived:
Used from 16c. in adj. sense of "utter, absolute, quite" (cf. dead drunk first attested 1590s; dead heat, 1796). As an adv., from late 14c. Dead on is 1889, from marksmanship.
I would guess the following: death -> permanence -> absoluteness. But this is all speculation. I doubt you'll ever find an authoritative history of this evolution.
answered Dec 13 '11 at 20:10
DanielDaniel
47.3k60231357
1
The expressions dead drunk and dead quiet actually make sense for both meanings of dead. Since dead drunk was apparently first, it's possible this contributed to the coining of this expression.
– Peter Shor
Dec 13 '11 at 21:39
It's interesting that you mention it because I had written and considered adding a sentence or two on the possibility of dead drunk being the bridge between these two usages of dead. Now I think I'll leave it to the comments :)
– Daniel
Dec 13 '11 at 21:47
1
And here is dead silent from 1753, well before the 1796 dead heat attestation in etymonline.
– Peter Shor
Nov 15 '12 at 22:06
add a comment |
In expressions like dead simple, dead easy, dead on, or dead right, dead is used as an adverb, meaning completely or extremely.
Etymonline indicates some of the history:
Used from 16c. in adj. sense of "utter, absolute, quite" (cf. dead drunk first attested 1590s; dead heat, 1796). As an adv., from late 14c. Dead on is 1889, from marksmanship.
answered Dec 13 '11 at 20:11
aedia λaedia λ
8,57273663
A very common usage of dead in the same sense: "He came in dead last"
– Juan Mendes
Dec 14 '11 at 1:29
add a comment |
Like most confusing idioms it's most likely someone's misunderstanding of a traditional idiom. Dead silent, dead drunk, and dead serious all make sense. Dead silent is because the dead are silent. Dead drunk because you're so drunk you behave like a dead person (falling down, not responding etc.) Dead serious because death is serious. My assumption is another example of people messing up other sayings. Sort of like "walking on egg shells" which was taken from "walking on eggs" which is about not breaking them.
answered Jan 11 '16 at 10:10
EmmaEmma
1
add a comment |
It's very common to use dead meaning very in the north esp. Manchester. I'm Mancunian and I've always thought it came from "dead still" as in "hold completely still don't move", or "it's very quiet", or also "there's no wind at all", knowing how much we like to talk about the weather maybe the last one is the original?
answered Nov 4 '17 at 16:20
BryanBryan
1
add a comment |
"Dead" in Gaelic means basically "extreme", something like the slang phrase "to the max". So "you're dead right" means "you're extremely right", "dead ahead" means it's directly in front (of a ship's path for example - not even one degree to port or starboard).
The real New York street gang "The Dead Rabbits" (who were re-created in the film "Gangs of New York") got their name because...OK I'm not sure of the spelling, but "rabid" or "rabeed" in Gaelic meant a bad guy, a tough guy, and these extreme tough guys were called "dead rabeeds" by the other Irish immigrants.
answered 8 hours ago
wjstixwjstix
1
New contributor
wjstix is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Hi wjstix, welcome to EL&U. Please edit your answer to provide (1) an authoritative source for your definition of the meaning of dead in Gaelic, and (2) published evidence that demonstrates how the Gaelic word is is involved in the originof the phrase dead simple. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour. :-)
– Chappo
6 hours ago
add a comment |
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5 Answers
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Dead here means utterly, absolutely, which is not a slang usage. Etymonline suggests that it hails from the 14th century, but does not explain whence it derived:
Used from 16c. in adj. sense of "utter, absolute, quite" (cf. dead drunk first attested 1590s; dead heat, 1796). As an adv., from late 14c. Dead on is 1889, from marksmanship.
I would guess the following: death -> permanence -> absoluteness. But this is all speculation. I doubt you'll ever find an authoritative history of this evolution.
answered Dec 13 '11 at 20:10
DanielDaniel
47.3k60231357
1
The expressions dead drunk and dead quiet actually make sense for both meanings of dead. Since dead drunk was apparently first, it's possible this contributed to the coining of this expression.
– Peter Shor
Dec 13 '11 at 21:39
It's interesting that you mention it because I had written and considered adding a sentence or two on the possibility of dead drunk being the bridge between these two usages of dead. Now I think I'll leave it to the comments :)
– Daniel
Dec 13 '11 at 21:47
1
And here is dead silent from 1753, well before the 1796 dead heat attestation in etymonline.
– Peter Shor
Nov 15 '12 at 22:06
add a comment |
Dead here means utterly, absolutely, which is not a slang usage. Etymonline suggests that it hails from the 14th century, but does not explain whence it derived:
Used from 16c. in adj. sense of "utter, absolute, quite" (cf. dead drunk first attested 1590s; dead heat, 1796). As an adv., from late 14c. Dead on is 1889, from marksmanship.
I would guess the following: death -> permanence -> absoluteness. But this is all speculation. I doubt you'll ever find an authoritative history of this evolution.
answered Dec 13 '11 at 20:10
DanielDaniel
47.3k60231357
1
The expressions dead drunk and dead quiet actually make sense for both meanings of dead. Since dead drunk was apparently first, it's possible this contributed to the coining of this expression.
– Peter Shor
Dec 13 '11 at 21:39
It's interesting that you mention it because I had written and considered adding a sentence or two on the possibility of dead drunk being the bridge between these two usages of dead. Now I think I'll leave it to the comments :)
– Daniel
Dec 13 '11 at 21:47
1
And here is dead silent from 1753, well before the 1796 dead heat attestation in etymonline.
– Peter Shor
Nov 15 '12 at 22:06
add a comment |
Dead here means utterly, absolutely, which is not a slang usage. Etymonline suggests that it hails from the 14th century, but does not explain whence it derived:
Used from 16c. in adj. sense of "utter, absolute, quite" (cf. dead drunk first attested 1590s; dead heat, 1796). As an adv., from late 14c. Dead on is 1889, from marksmanship.
I would guess the following: death -> permanence -> absoluteness. But this is all speculation. I doubt you'll ever find an authoritative history of this evolution.
answered Dec 13 '11 at 20:10
DanielDaniel
47.3k60231357
Dead here means utterly, absolutely, which is not a slang usage. Etymonline suggests that it hails from the 14th century, but does not explain whence it derived:
Used from 16c. in adj. sense of "utter, absolute, quite" (cf. dead drunk first attested 1590s; dead heat, 1796). As an adv., from late 14c. Dead on is 1889, from marksmanship.
I would guess the following: death -> permanence -> absoluteness. But this is all speculation. I doubt you'll ever find an authoritative history of this evolution.
answered Dec 13 '11 at 20:10
DanielDaniel
47.3k60231357
edited Dec 13 '11 at 20:30
answered Dec 13 '11 at 20:10
DanielDaniel
47.3k60231357
answered Dec 13 '11 at 20:10
DanielDaniel
47.3k60231357
answered Dec 13 '11 at 20:10
DanielDaniel
47.3k60231357
47.3k60231357
1
The expressions dead drunk and dead quiet actually make sense for both meanings of dead. Since dead drunk was apparently first, it's possible this contributed to the coining of this expression.
– Peter Shor
Dec 13 '11 at 21:39
It's interesting that you mention it because I had written and considered adding a sentence or two on the possibility of dead drunk being the bridge between these two usages of dead. Now I think I'll leave it to the comments :)
– Daniel
Dec 13 '11 at 21:47
1
And here is dead silent from 1753, well before the 1796 dead heat attestation in etymonline.
– Peter Shor
Nov 15 '12 at 22:06
add a comment |
1
The expressions dead drunk and dead quiet actually make sense for both meanings of dead. Since dead drunk was apparently first, it's possible this contributed to the coining of this expression.
– Peter Shor
Dec 13 '11 at 21:39
It's interesting that you mention it because I had written and considered adding a sentence or two on the possibility of dead drunk being the bridge between these two usages of dead. Now I think I'll leave it to the comments :)
– Daniel
Dec 13 '11 at 21:47
1
And here is dead silent from 1753, well before the 1796 dead heat attestation in etymonline.
– Peter Shor
Nov 15 '12 at 22:06
1
1
The expressions dead drunk and dead quiet actually make sense for both meanings of dead. Since dead drunk was apparently first, it's possible this contributed to the coining of this expression.
– Peter Shor
Dec 13 '11 at 21:39
The expressions dead drunk and dead quiet actually make sense for both meanings of dead. Since dead drunk was apparently first, it's possible this contributed to the coining of this expression.
– Peter Shor
Dec 13 '11 at 21:39
It's interesting that you mention it because I had written and considered adding a sentence or two on the possibility of dead drunk being the bridge between these two usages of dead. Now I think I'll leave it to the comments :)
– Daniel
Dec 13 '11 at 21:47
It's interesting that you mention it because I had written and considered adding a sentence or two on the possibility of dead drunk being the bridge between these two usages of dead. Now I think I'll leave it to the comments :)
– Daniel
Dec 13 '11 at 21:47
1
1
And here is dead silent from 1753, well before the 1796 dead heat attestation in etymonline.
– Peter Shor
Nov 15 '12 at 22:06
And here is dead silent from 1753, well before the 1796 dead heat attestation in etymonline.
– Peter Shor
Nov 15 '12 at 22:06
add a comment |
In expressions like dead simple, dead easy, dead on, or dead right, dead is used as an adverb, meaning completely or extremely.
Etymonline indicates some of the history:
Used from 16c. in adj. sense of "utter, absolute, quite" (cf. dead drunk first attested 1590s; dead heat, 1796). As an adv., from late 14c. Dead on is 1889, from marksmanship.
answered Dec 13 '11 at 20:11
aedia λaedia λ
8,57273663
A very common usage of dead in the same sense: "He came in dead last"
– Juan Mendes
Dec 14 '11 at 1:29
add a comment |
In expressions like dead simple, dead easy, dead on, or dead right, dead is used as an adverb, meaning completely or extremely.
Etymonline indicates some of the history:
Used from 16c. in adj. sense of "utter, absolute, quite" (cf. dead drunk first attested 1590s; dead heat, 1796). As an adv., from late 14c. Dead on is 1889, from marksmanship.
answered Dec 13 '11 at 20:11
aedia λaedia λ
8,57273663
A very common usage of dead in the same sense: "He came in dead last"
– Juan Mendes
Dec 14 '11 at 1:29
add a comment |
In expressions like dead simple, dead easy, dead on, or dead right, dead is used as an adverb, meaning completely or extremely.
Etymonline indicates some of the history:
Used from 16c. in adj. sense of "utter, absolute, quite" (cf. dead drunk first attested 1590s; dead heat, 1796). As an adv., from late 14c. Dead on is 1889, from marksmanship.
answered Dec 13 '11 at 20:11
aedia λaedia λ
8,57273663
In expressions like dead simple, dead easy, dead on, or dead right, dead is used as an adverb, meaning completely or extremely.
Etymonline indicates some of the history:
Used from 16c. in adj. sense of "utter, absolute, quite" (cf. dead drunk first attested 1590s; dead heat, 1796). As an adv., from late 14c. Dead on is 1889, from marksmanship.
answered Dec 13 '11 at 20:11
aedia λaedia λ
8,57273663
answered Dec 13 '11 at 20:11
aedia λaedia λ
8,57273663
answered Dec 13 '11 at 20:11
aedia λaedia λ
8,57273663
answered Dec 13 '11 at 20:11
aedia λaedia λ
8,57273663
8,57273663
A very common usage of dead in the same sense: "He came in dead last"
– Juan Mendes
Dec 14 '11 at 1:29
add a comment |
A very common usage of dead in the same sense: "He came in dead last"
– Juan Mendes
Dec 14 '11 at 1:29
A very common usage of dead in the same sense: "He came in dead last"
– Juan Mendes
Dec 14 '11 at 1:29
A very common usage of dead in the same sense: "He came in dead last"
– Juan Mendes
Dec 14 '11 at 1:29
add a comment |
Like most confusing idioms it's most likely someone's misunderstanding of a traditional idiom. Dead silent, dead drunk, and dead serious all make sense. Dead silent is because the dead are silent. Dead drunk because you're so drunk you behave like a dead person (falling down, not responding etc.) Dead serious because death is serious. My assumption is another example of people messing up other sayings. Sort of like "walking on egg shells" which was taken from "walking on eggs" which is about not breaking them.
answered Jan 11 '16 at 10:10
EmmaEmma
1
add a comment |
Like most confusing idioms it's most likely someone's misunderstanding of a traditional idiom. Dead silent, dead drunk, and dead serious all make sense. Dead silent is because the dead are silent. Dead drunk because you're so drunk you behave like a dead person (falling down, not responding etc.) Dead serious because death is serious. My assumption is another example of people messing up other sayings. Sort of like "walking on egg shells" which was taken from "walking on eggs" which is about not breaking them.
answered Jan 11 '16 at 10:10
EmmaEmma
1
add a comment |
Like most confusing idioms it's most likely someone's misunderstanding of a traditional idiom. Dead silent, dead drunk, and dead serious all make sense. Dead silent is because the dead are silent. Dead drunk because you're so drunk you behave like a dead person (falling down, not responding etc.) Dead serious because death is serious. My assumption is another example of people messing up other sayings. Sort of like "walking on egg shells" which was taken from "walking on eggs" which is about not breaking them.
answered Jan 11 '16 at 10:10
EmmaEmma
1
Like most confusing idioms it's most likely someone's misunderstanding of a traditional idiom. Dead silent, dead drunk, and dead serious all make sense. Dead silent is because the dead are silent. Dead drunk because you're so drunk you behave like a dead person (falling down, not responding etc.) Dead serious because death is serious. My assumption is another example of people messing up other sayings. Sort of like "walking on egg shells" which was taken from "walking on eggs" which is about not breaking them.
answered Jan 11 '16 at 10:10
EmmaEmma
1
answered Jan 11 '16 at 10:10
EmmaEmma
1
answered Jan 11 '16 at 10:10
EmmaEmma
1
answered Jan 11 '16 at 10:10
EmmaEmma
1
1
add a comment |
add a comment |
It's very common to use dead meaning very in the north esp. Manchester. I'm Mancunian and I've always thought it came from "dead still" as in "hold completely still don't move", or "it's very quiet", or also "there's no wind at all", knowing how much we like to talk about the weather maybe the last one is the original?
answered Nov 4 '17 at 16:20
BryanBryan
1
add a comment |
It's very common to use dead meaning very in the north esp. Manchester. I'm Mancunian and I've always thought it came from "dead still" as in "hold completely still don't move", or "it's very quiet", or also "there's no wind at all", knowing how much we like to talk about the weather maybe the last one is the original?
answered Nov 4 '17 at 16:20
BryanBryan
1
add a comment |
It's very common to use dead meaning very in the north esp. Manchester. I'm Mancunian and I've always thought it came from "dead still" as in "hold completely still don't move", or "it's very quiet", or also "there's no wind at all", knowing how much we like to talk about the weather maybe the last one is the original?
answered Nov 4 '17 at 16:20
BryanBryan
1
It's very common to use dead meaning very in the north esp. Manchester. I'm Mancunian and I've always thought it came from "dead still" as in "hold completely still don't move", or "it's very quiet", or also "there's no wind at all", knowing how much we like to talk about the weather maybe the last one is the original?
answered Nov 4 '17 at 16:20
BryanBryan
1
answered Nov 4 '17 at 16:20
BryanBryan
1
answered Nov 4 '17 at 16:20
BryanBryan
1
answered Nov 4 '17 at 16:20
BryanBryan
1
1
add a comment |
add a comment |
"Dead" in Gaelic means basically "extreme", something like the slang phrase "to the max". So "you're dead right" means "you're extremely right", "dead ahead" means it's directly in front (of a ship's path for example - not even one degree to port or starboard).
The real New York street gang "The Dead Rabbits" (who were re-created in the film "Gangs of New York") got their name because...OK I'm not sure of the spelling, but "rabid" or "rabeed" in Gaelic meant a bad guy, a tough guy, and these extreme tough guys were called "dead rabeeds" by the other Irish immigrants.
answered 8 hours ago
wjstixwjstix
1
New contributor
wjstix is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Hi wjstix, welcome to EL&U. Please edit your answer to provide (1) an authoritative source for your definition of the meaning of dead in Gaelic, and (2) published evidence that demonstrates how the Gaelic word is is involved in the originof the phrase dead simple. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour. :-)
– Chappo
6 hours ago
add a comment |
"Dead" in Gaelic means basically "extreme", something like the slang phrase "to the max". So "you're dead right" means "you're extremely right", "dead ahead" means it's directly in front (of a ship's path for example - not even one degree to port or starboard).
The real New York street gang "The Dead Rabbits" (who were re-created in the film "Gangs of New York") got their name because...OK I'm not sure of the spelling, but "rabid" or "rabeed" in Gaelic meant a bad guy, a tough guy, and these extreme tough guys were called "dead rabeeds" by the other Irish immigrants.
answered 8 hours ago
wjstixwjstix
1
New contributor
wjstix is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Hi wjstix, welcome to EL&U. Please edit your answer to provide (1) an authoritative source for your definition of the meaning of dead in Gaelic, and (2) published evidence that demonstrates how the Gaelic word is is involved in the originof the phrase dead simple. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour. :-)
– Chappo
6 hours ago
add a comment |
"Dead" in Gaelic means basically "extreme", something like the slang phrase "to the max". So "you're dead right" means "you're extremely right", "dead ahead" means it's directly in front (of a ship's path for example - not even one degree to port or starboard).
The real New York street gang "The Dead Rabbits" (who were re-created in the film "Gangs of New York") got their name because...OK I'm not sure of the spelling, but "rabid" or "rabeed" in Gaelic meant a bad guy, a tough guy, and these extreme tough guys were called "dead rabeeds" by the other Irish immigrants.
answered 8 hours ago
wjstixwjstix
1
New contributor
wjstix is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
"Dead" in Gaelic means basically "extreme", something like the slang phrase "to the max". So "you're dead right" means "you're extremely right", "dead ahead" means it's directly in front (of a ship's path for example - not even one degree to port or starboard).
The real New York street gang "The Dead Rabbits" (who were re-created in the film "Gangs of New York") got their name because...OK I'm not sure of the spelling, but "rabid" or "rabeed" in Gaelic meant a bad guy, a tough guy, and these extreme tough guys were called "dead rabeeds" by the other Irish immigrants.
answered 8 hours ago
wjstixwjstix
1
New contributor
wjstix is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 8 hours ago
wjstixwjstix
1
New contributor
wjstix is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 8 hours ago
wjstixwjstix
1
answered 8 hours ago
wjstixwjstix
1
1
New contributor
wjstix is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
wjstix is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
wjstix is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Hi wjstix, welcome to EL&U. Please edit your answer to provide (1) an authoritative source for your definition of the meaning of dead in Gaelic, and (2) published evidence that demonstrates how the Gaelic word is is involved in the originof the phrase dead simple. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour. :-)
– Chappo
6 hours ago
add a comment |
Hi wjstix, welcome to EL&U. Please edit your answer to provide (1) an authoritative source for your definition of the meaning of dead in Gaelic, and (2) published evidence that demonstrates how the Gaelic word is is involved in the originof the phrase dead simple. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour. :-)
– Chappo
6 hours ago
Hi wjstix, welcome to EL&U. Please edit your answer to provide (1) an authoritative source for your definition of the meaning of dead in Gaelic, and (2) published evidence that demonstrates how the Gaelic word is is involved in the originof the phrase dead simple. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour. :-)
– Chappo
6 hours ago
Hi wjstix, welcome to EL&U. Please edit your answer to provide (1) an authoritative source for your definition of the meaning of dead in Gaelic, and (2) published evidence that demonstrates how the Gaelic word is is involved in the originof the phrase dead simple. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour. :-)
– Chappo
6 hours ago
add a comment |
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possible duplicate of "Dead simple.." vs. "Really simple.."
– FumbleFingers
Dec 13 '11 at 21:38
From a long-time TidBITS subscriber and reader, welcome to ELU!
– Gnawme
Dec 13 '11 at 22:48