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20-04-2009, 10:17
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#1 |
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It beggars belief
I've used this phrase a lot this weekend - as has everyone that I've told a particular story to about some work done! I won't go into the details about the work but needless to say, it beggars belief!!!!
Anyway, it got me thinking, what does that phrase really mean? I understand it on one level but why 'beggars' belief? Anyone know? |
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20-04-2009, 10:23
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#2 |
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Re: It beggars belief
Here seems to be the answer
Etymology (Meaning of Words): question followups
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20-04-2009, 10:24
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Re: It beggars belief
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20-04-2009, 10:25
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Re: It beggars belief
I believe it's a corruption of the phrase "It begs our belief" - meaning it's not really credible.
May 19 04, 12:04 PM Stew54 In rather old fashioned usage "beggar" is also a verb (to beggar someone being to reduce them to the status of a beggar). It could be that the phrase "beggars belief" means that something is so incredible it exhausts our capacity for belief. Taken from: http://www.funtrivia.com/askft/Question47598.html
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20-04-2009, 10:26
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Re: It beggars belief
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20-04-2009, 15:38
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#6 |
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Re: It beggars belief
Ha! Nice one, Gayle.
It beggars belief..............I say it loads too. I think Margaret R has got it right with the meaning......to reduce to the status of a beggar, to make belief impossible.
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Old aunts used to come up to me at weddings, poking me in the ribs, cackling and telling me 'You'll be next.' They stopped when I started doing the same to them at funerals.
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20-04-2009, 20:54
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Re: It beggars belief
Quote:
 Other phrases you could look into "As thick as two short planks" is quite apt "If you pay peanuts" "While the cat is away the mice will play" may fit as well I liked this one the best Quote:
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