possibly from the belief that the nobility had a higher arch and instep than the peasants did, who were said to have flat feet because of the cheap shoes they wore, and their heavy work and work conditions 1562 - Workes. A Dialogue Conteynyng Prouerbes and Epigrammes; John Heywood; see below From: The Proverbs and Epigrams of John Heywood (A.D. 1562) Reprinted from the Original Edition Printed for the Spenser Society, 1867 Epigrammes P. 164 From: The Historie of the Holie Warre
By Thomas Fuller The Second Edition. 1640 Book II. Chapter I P. 53
14 Comments
Maureen Holt
18/12/2016 04:26:06 pm
Interesting phrase. Used in a short story "The Person and the Highwayman" by Judith Cutler, 2008. Set in 18th century.
Reply
Words and Phrases from the Past
19/12/2016 12:28:07 am
It is interesting isn't it!
Reply
Kathleen H
12/1/2019 10:06:26 am
I had to look it up! I found it in The Arrangement, a book by Mary Balogh, published in 2013.
Reply
Words and Phrases from the Past
14/1/2019 03:15:38 am
Great! Maybe it's making a comeback! :)
Reply
Patti Johnson
5/6/2020 10:27:22 am
Found in The Independence of Miss Mary Bennet by Colleen McCullough
Reply
Melinda L Morgan
9/6/2020 09:26:08 pm
Found in What Happens in Piccadilly by Chasity Bowlin
Reply
Kathryn
3/1/2021 01:28:19 am
Heard a number of times in the “Bridgerton” series (2019).
Reply
5/1/2021 03:57:47 pm
Ah! Thank you! I'd noticed a lot of activity on that page, and wondered what the interest was from!
Reply
George
28/2/2021 04:11:42 pm
Found in “A Brazen Curiosity: A Regency Cozy”, by Lynn Messina.
Reply
Nicole Z
20/5/2021 07:28:28 pm
Found in "Bridgerton: The Duke and I" by Julia Quinn
Reply
20/5/2021 09:02:42 pm
A big thank you George and Nicole Z!
Reply
Holly Willett
13/7/2021 07:39:55 am
I've found "high in the instep" several times in Anna Lee Huber's Lady Darby series.
Reply
Words and Phrases from the Past
13/7/2021 12:51:27 pm
Thanks Holly!
Reply
Frances kulovitz
24/5/2022 11:56:39 am
I have found it used in regency romances.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
September 2021
|