Why do we say fit as a fiddle?

The violin was picked out as the exemplar because of the alliteration of fit and fiddle, and because the violin is a beautifully shaped instrument producing a very particular sound. But then fit came to mean 'in good physical shape' and so fit as a fiddle came to mean 'in good condition physically'.

Where does saying fit as a fiddle come from?

Origin: Fiddle refers to stringed musical instruments, especially violin, which had to be kept in good condition (fit). The phrase was recorded in a book entitled English-men for my Money, written in the year 1616 by Haughton William.

What is the meaning of the idiom fit as a fiddle?

: in good physical condition : very healthy and strong I feel (as) fit as a fiddle this morning.

What does it mean to call someone a fiddle?

2 : cheat, swindle. 3 : to alter or manipulate deceptively for fraudulent gain accountants fiddling the books— Stanley Cohen.

What does it mean to be fit as a fiddle?

informal. : in good physical condition : very healthy and strong I feel (as) fit as a fiddle this morning.

Where does the saying on the fiddle come from?

It is a nautical term which refers to the raised edges of the square dinner plates used on board ships. The raised edges (known as fiddles) prevented the food from sliding or rolling off during rough seas. Being on the fiddle meant being given sufficient food to overflow onto the fiddle.

What does it mean to call someone a fiddle?

2 : cheat, swindle. 3 : to alter or manipulate deceptively for fraudulent gain accountants fiddling the books— Stanley Cohen.

What does fiddle mean in British slang?

to play on the fiddle. ... to waste time; trifle; dally (often followed by around): Stop fiddling around and get to work. British Informal. to cheat. SEE MORE. verb (used with object), fid·dled, fid·dling.

What is the idiom for as fit as a fiddle?

If someone is as fit as a fiddle or as fit as a flea, they are very fit and healthy. Note: In the first two idioms here, `fit' means healthy and full of energy. He was nearly 80 and as fit as a fiddle.

Where did the idiom fit as a fiddle come from?

Origin: Fiddle refers to stringed musical instruments, especially violin, which had to be kept in good condition (fit). The phrase was recorded in a book entitled English-men for my Money, written in the year 1616 by Haughton William.

What does it mean to call someone a fiddle?

2 : cheat, swindle. 3 : to alter or manipulate deceptively for fraudulent gain accountants fiddling the books— Stanley Cohen.

What does fiddle mean slang?

'Fiddling' is usually meant to mean 'cheating in a petty way', perhaps falsifying one's expenses or not declaring all of one's taxable income. Of course, a fiddle is also a slang term for violin. ... The second suggestion is that the 'fiddle' was the name of the raised edge of the square wooden plates used by sailors.

What is fiddle around mean?

: to spend time in activity that does not have a real purpose They spent hours just fiddling around when they should have been working.

Does fiddle mean violin?

The words fiddle and violin are two names for the same stringed instrument—fiddle is just an informal way of referring to the violin. In the context of classical music, it's typically called a violin. In a bluegrass band, it's more likely to be called a fiddle.

Where does the phrase on the fiddle come from?

It is a nautical term which refers to the raised edges of the square dinner plates used on board ships. The raised edges (known as fiddles) prevented the food from sliding or rolling off during rough seas. Being on the fiddle meant being given sufficient food to overflow onto the fiddle.

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