Do we have entymologists here?
I was trying to research a fascnating British expression and came up with only a sparse bit of data. Where to look?
unless this is really bugging you, you don't need an entomologist. you need an etymologist! i am an amateur one. can you say which expression you have in mind?
g
Thank you. The expression is " away with the fairies" I believe it is a quote from one of the English romantic writers but cannot find any origin for it. It is a strange, intriguing image, just like "fairies at the bottom of the garden" (Lewis Carroll)
This whole fairy business is so typically English that I wonder if it does not have its origin in the prevalence of opium smoking the Empire imported from her colonies.
@Spinliesel try this: [phrases.org.uk]
g
@genessa Thank you, that is really helpful.