Quote:
Originally Posted by Cthulhu
"Dead as a doornail" is the correct colloquialigism. Carpenters used to band the tail of nails over to make sure it could not be removed, hence it was 'dead.'
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I like your explanation better than this one from
The Dictionary of Cliches:
"...And what is a doornail? Well, that can be answered: it was a nail with a large head [why do all things remind me of PH?], and at one time it was common practice to stud a door with them for decoration or reinforcement. The popularity of the phrase is probably attributable to alliteration. In any event, the expression goes back at least to 1350 in
The Romance of William of Palerne: 'For but ich haue bote of mi bale I am ded as a dorenail.' "
And welcome back, oh, Great Juan.