"An excellent habit to cultivate is the analytical study of the King James Bible. For simple yet rich and forceful English, this masterly production is hard to equal; and even though its Saxon vocabulary and poetic rhythm be unsuited to general composition, it is an invaluable model for writers on quaint or imaginative themes." ~Atheist Horror Writer H.P. Lovecraft
The King James Bible (or Authorized Version) has become an integral part of the English language. It's beauty and majesty is unsurpassed, but it is also impressive in how it has injected itself in the way we speak. Take the following list, for example:
A man after his own heart
A stumbling block
A thief in the night
A thorn in the flesh
All these things must come to pass
All things to all men
And the word was made flesh
At their wit's end
Be fruitful and multiply
Born again
Bottomless pit
By their fruits ye shall know them
Charity shall cover the multitude of sins
Crumbs which fall from ... table
Death, where is thy sting
Den of thieves
Dreamer of dreams
Eat, drink and be merry
Eye for an eye
Fallen from grace
Fatted calf
Fell by the way side
Fell flat on his face
Fell on stony ground
Fight the good fight
From strength to strength
Get thee behind me
Give up the ghost
God forbid
Holier than thou
Honour thy father and mother
How are the mighty fallen
In the twinkling of an eye
Land of Nod
Led as a sheep to the slaughter
Left hand know what thy right hand doeth
Let my people go
Let there be light
Love thy neighbour as thyself
Milk and honey
Money is the root of all evil
My brother's keeper
My name is legion
New wine into old bottles
No room for them in the inn
Out of the mouths of babes
Physician, heal thyself
Put the words in her mouth
Scapegoat
Seek and ye shall find
Set thine house in order
Sheep's clothing
Suffer fools gladly
Take root
The blind lead the blind
The last shall be first
The leopard [change] his spots
The lost sheep
The powers that be
The signs of the times
The skin of my teeth
The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak
They know not what they do
Thou shalt not bear false witness
To give than to receive
Turn to him the other [cheek]
Turned the world upside down
Two are better than one
Two-edged sword
Vengeance is mine
Wandering stars
White as snow
Woe is me
metatron3@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment