A twist of fate
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I’ve spent the last few days savouring the phrase “A twist of fate”, either there isn’t much written about, or it is swamped by other people using it.
From what seen on the internet it seems to be medieval in origin, but I imagine it’s roots are deeper still.
What are it’s origins, and is a “twist of lemon” a riff on it?
etymology phrases idioms
edited Dec 31 '18 at 14:32
Lawrence
31k562109
asked Dec 31 '18 at 14:28
zeristorzeristor
1163
add a comment |
I’ve spent the last few days savouring the phrase “A twist of fate”, either there isn’t much written about, or it is swamped by other people using it.
From what seen on the internet it seems to be medieval in origin, but I imagine it’s roots are deeper still.
What are it’s origins, and is a “twist of lemon” a riff on it?
etymology phrases idioms
edited Dec 31 '18 at 14:32
Lawrence
31k562109
asked Dec 31 '18 at 14:28
zeristorzeristor
1163
2
Would be helpful to include a reference to the source that leads you to believe that the term is medieval in origin -- this seems to make a big difference and I would not have guessed it to be the case, so would be good to include so answers have that to work from.
– jkf
Dec 31 '18 at 19:32
The medieval reference seemed to be a spurious one from some googled link to a web disctiinary with no substance
– zeristor
Jan 2 at 11:44
add a comment |
I’ve spent the last few days savouring the phrase “A twist of fate”, either there isn’t much written about, or it is swamped by other people using it.
From what seen on the internet it seems to be medieval in origin, but I imagine it’s roots are deeper still.
What are it’s origins, and is a “twist of lemon” a riff on it?
etymology phrases idioms
edited Dec 31 '18 at 14:32
Lawrence
31k562109
asked Dec 31 '18 at 14:28
zeristorzeristor
1163
I’ve spent the last few days savouring the phrase “A twist of fate”, either there isn’t much written about, or it is swamped by other people using it.
From what seen on the internet it seems to be medieval in origin, but I imagine it’s roots are deeper still.
What are it’s origins, and is a “twist of lemon” a riff on it?
etymology phrases idioms
etymology phrases idioms
edited Dec 31 '18 at 14:32
Lawrence
31k562109
asked Dec 31 '18 at 14:28
zeristorzeristor
1163
edited Dec 31 '18 at 14:32
Lawrence
31k562109
asked Dec 31 '18 at 14:28
zeristorzeristor
1163
edited Dec 31 '18 at 14:32
Lawrence
31k562109
edited Dec 31 '18 at 14:32
Lawrence
31k562109
edited Dec 31 '18 at 14:32
Lawrence
31k562109
31k562109
asked Dec 31 '18 at 14:28
zeristorzeristor
1163
asked Dec 31 '18 at 14:28
zeristorzeristor
1163
asked Dec 31 '18 at 14:28
zeristorzeristor
1163
1163
2
Would be helpful to include a reference to the source that leads you to believe that the term is medieval in origin -- this seems to make a big difference and I would not have guessed it to be the case, so would be good to include so answers have that to work from.
– jkf
Dec 31 '18 at 19:32
The medieval reference seemed to be a spurious one from some googled link to a web disctiinary with no substance
– zeristor
Jan 2 at 11:44
add a comment |
2
Would be helpful to include a reference to the source that leads you to believe that the term is medieval in origin -- this seems to make a big difference and I would not have guessed it to be the case, so would be good to include so answers have that to work from.
– jkf
Dec 31 '18 at 19:32
The medieval reference seemed to be a spurious one from some googled link to a web disctiinary with no substance
– zeristor
Jan 2 at 11:44
2
2
Would be helpful to include a reference to the source that leads you to believe that the term is medieval in origin -- this seems to make a big difference and I would not have guessed it to be the case, so would be good to include so answers have that to work from.
– jkf
Dec 31 '18 at 19:32
Would be helpful to include a reference to the source that leads you to believe that the term is medieval in origin -- this seems to make a big difference and I would not have guessed it to be the case, so would be good to include so answers have that to work from.
– jkf
Dec 31 '18 at 19:32
The medieval reference seemed to be a spurious one from some googled link to a web disctiinary with no substance
– zeristor
Jan 2 at 11:44
The medieval reference seemed to be a spurious one from some googled link to a web disctiinary with no substance
– zeristor
Jan 2 at 11:44
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
The earliest usage example of “twist of fate” I could find so far is from the mid 19th century:
“Pierre; Or, The Ambiguities” by Herman Melville - 1852 -
And now we behold this hapless youth all eager to involve himself in such an inextricable twist of Fate, that the three dextrous maids themselves could hardly disentangle him, if once he tie the complicating knots about him and Isabel. Ah, thou ...
answered Dec 31 '18 at 14:48
user240918user240918
25.3k1070149
6
the three dextrous maids themselves That's what first occurred to me when reading the question: the Fates, who twist and weave the threads of mortal lives.
– tmgr
Dec 31 '18 at 15:05
1
+1 for this ^ comment. In Greek mythology, the Fates literally "twist" your destiny. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moirai#Origins
– Rob Starling
Dec 31 '18 at 21:04
Indeed and the Vikings had the Norns weavers of fate, they must have held weaving with great store. However the phrase "Twist of Fate" itself seems to have been first used with the above reference. I thought it might have been Shakesperian
– zeristor
Jan 7 at 10:13
add a comment |
You are asking about two different senses of twist. The first refers to some concrete physical item that has been twisted:
twist n
1. Something twisted or formed by twisting, especially:
a. A length of yarn, cord, or thread, especially a strong silk thread used mainly to bind the edges of buttonholes.
b. Tobacco leaves processed into the form of a rope or roll.
c. A loaf of bread or other bakery product made from pieces of dough twisted together.
d. A sliver of citrus peel twisted over or dropped into a beverage for flavoring.
And the second refers to a more abstract convolution, like an unexpected turn in a story or process:
- An unexpected change in a process or a departure from a pattern, often producing a distortion or perversion: a twist of fate; a story with a quirky twist.
The Free Dictionary Online
The noun form is attested from the mid-14th century, according to Etymonline:
mid-14c., "flat part of a hinge" (now obsolete), probably from Old English -twist "divided object; fork; rope" (as in mæsttwist "mast rope, stay;" candeltwist "wick"), from Proto-Germanic *twis-, from PIE root *dwo- "two." Original senses suggest "dividing in two" (source also of cognate Old Norse tvistra "to divide, separate," Gothic twis- "in two, asunder," Dutch twist, German zwist "quarrel, discord," though these senses have no equivalent in English), but later ones are of "combining two into one," hence the original sense of the word may be "rope made of two strands."
answered Dec 31 '18 at 14:38
RobustoRobusto
128k28303514
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
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active
oldest
votes
The earliest usage example of “twist of fate” I could find so far is from the mid 19th century:
“Pierre; Or, The Ambiguities” by Herman Melville - 1852 -
And now we behold this hapless youth all eager to involve himself in such an inextricable twist of Fate, that the three dextrous maids themselves could hardly disentangle him, if once he tie the complicating knots about him and Isabel. Ah, thou ...
answered Dec 31 '18 at 14:48
user240918user240918
25.3k1070149
6
the three dextrous maids themselves That's what first occurred to me when reading the question: the Fates, who twist and weave the threads of mortal lives.
– tmgr
Dec 31 '18 at 15:05
1
+1 for this ^ comment. In Greek mythology, the Fates literally "twist" your destiny. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moirai#Origins
– Rob Starling
Dec 31 '18 at 21:04
Indeed and the Vikings had the Norns weavers of fate, they must have held weaving with great store. However the phrase "Twist of Fate" itself seems to have been first used with the above reference. I thought it might have been Shakesperian
– zeristor
Jan 7 at 10:13
add a comment |
The earliest usage example of “twist of fate” I could find so far is from the mid 19th century:
“Pierre; Or, The Ambiguities” by Herman Melville - 1852 -
And now we behold this hapless youth all eager to involve himself in such an inextricable twist of Fate, that the three dextrous maids themselves could hardly disentangle him, if once he tie the complicating knots about him and Isabel. Ah, thou ...
answered Dec 31 '18 at 14:48
user240918user240918
25.3k1070149
6
the three dextrous maids themselves That's what first occurred to me when reading the question: the Fates, who twist and weave the threads of mortal lives.
– tmgr
Dec 31 '18 at 15:05
1
+1 for this ^ comment. In Greek mythology, the Fates literally "twist" your destiny. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moirai#Origins
– Rob Starling
Dec 31 '18 at 21:04
Indeed and the Vikings had the Norns weavers of fate, they must have held weaving with great store. However the phrase "Twist of Fate" itself seems to have been first used with the above reference. I thought it might have been Shakesperian
– zeristor
Jan 7 at 10:13
add a comment |
The earliest usage example of “twist of fate” I could find so far is from the mid 19th century:
“Pierre; Or, The Ambiguities” by Herman Melville - 1852 -
And now we behold this hapless youth all eager to involve himself in such an inextricable twist of Fate, that the three dextrous maids themselves could hardly disentangle him, if once he tie the complicating knots about him and Isabel. Ah, thou ...
answered Dec 31 '18 at 14:48
user240918user240918
25.3k1070149
The earliest usage example of “twist of fate” I could find so far is from the mid 19th century:
“Pierre; Or, The Ambiguities” by Herman Melville - 1852 -
And now we behold this hapless youth all eager to involve himself in such an inextricable twist of Fate, that the three dextrous maids themselves could hardly disentangle him, if once he tie the complicating knots about him and Isabel. Ah, thou ...
answered Dec 31 '18 at 14:48
user240918user240918
25.3k1070149
answered Dec 31 '18 at 14:48
user240918user240918
25.3k1070149
answered Dec 31 '18 at 14:48
user240918user240918
25.3k1070149
answered Dec 31 '18 at 14:48
user240918user240918
25.3k1070149
25.3k1070149
6
the three dextrous maids themselves That's what first occurred to me when reading the question: the Fates, who twist and weave the threads of mortal lives.
– tmgr
Dec 31 '18 at 15:05
1
+1 for this ^ comment. In Greek mythology, the Fates literally "twist" your destiny. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moirai#Origins
– Rob Starling
Dec 31 '18 at 21:04
Indeed and the Vikings had the Norns weavers of fate, they must have held weaving with great store. However the phrase "Twist of Fate" itself seems to have been first used with the above reference. I thought it might have been Shakesperian
– zeristor
Jan 7 at 10:13
add a comment |
6
the three dextrous maids themselves That's what first occurred to me when reading the question: the Fates, who twist and weave the threads of mortal lives.
– tmgr
Dec 31 '18 at 15:05
1
+1 for this ^ comment. In Greek mythology, the Fates literally "twist" your destiny. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moirai#Origins
– Rob Starling
Dec 31 '18 at 21:04
Indeed and the Vikings had the Norns weavers of fate, they must have held weaving with great store. However the phrase "Twist of Fate" itself seems to have been first used with the above reference. I thought it might have been Shakesperian
– zeristor
Jan 7 at 10:13
6
6
the three dextrous maids themselves That's what first occurred to me when reading the question: the Fates, who twist and weave the threads of mortal lives.
– tmgr
Dec 31 '18 at 15:05
the three dextrous maids themselves That's what first occurred to me when reading the question: the Fates, who twist and weave the threads of mortal lives.
– tmgr
Dec 31 '18 at 15:05
1
1
+1 for this ^ comment. In Greek mythology, the Fates literally "twist" your destiny. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moirai#Origins
– Rob Starling
Dec 31 '18 at 21:04
+1 for this ^ comment. In Greek mythology, the Fates literally "twist" your destiny. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moirai#Origins
– Rob Starling
Dec 31 '18 at 21:04
Indeed and the Vikings had the Norns weavers of fate, they must have held weaving with great store. However the phrase "Twist of Fate" itself seems to have been first used with the above reference. I thought it might have been Shakesperian
– zeristor
Jan 7 at 10:13
Indeed and the Vikings had the Norns weavers of fate, they must have held weaving with great store. However the phrase "Twist of Fate" itself seems to have been first used with the above reference. I thought it might have been Shakesperian
– zeristor
Jan 7 at 10:13
add a comment |
You are asking about two different senses of twist. The first refers to some concrete physical item that has been twisted:
twist n
1. Something twisted or formed by twisting, especially:
a. A length of yarn, cord, or thread, especially a strong silk thread used mainly to bind the edges of buttonholes.
b. Tobacco leaves processed into the form of a rope or roll.
c. A loaf of bread or other bakery product made from pieces of dough twisted together.
d. A sliver of citrus peel twisted over or dropped into a beverage for flavoring.
And the second refers to a more abstract convolution, like an unexpected turn in a story or process:
- An unexpected change in a process or a departure from a pattern, often producing a distortion or perversion: a twist of fate; a story with a quirky twist.
The Free Dictionary Online
The noun form is attested from the mid-14th century, according to Etymonline:
mid-14c., "flat part of a hinge" (now obsolete), probably from Old English -twist "divided object; fork; rope" (as in mæsttwist "mast rope, stay;" candeltwist "wick"), from Proto-Germanic *twis-, from PIE root *dwo- "two." Original senses suggest "dividing in two" (source also of cognate Old Norse tvistra "to divide, separate," Gothic twis- "in two, asunder," Dutch twist, German zwist "quarrel, discord," though these senses have no equivalent in English), but later ones are of "combining two into one," hence the original sense of the word may be "rope made of two strands."
answered Dec 31 '18 at 14:38
RobustoRobusto
128k28303514
add a comment |
You are asking about two different senses of twist. The first refers to some concrete physical item that has been twisted:
twist n
1. Something twisted or formed by twisting, especially:
a. A length of yarn, cord, or thread, especially a strong silk thread used mainly to bind the edges of buttonholes.
b. Tobacco leaves processed into the form of a rope or roll.
c. A loaf of bread or other bakery product made from pieces of dough twisted together.
d. A sliver of citrus peel twisted over or dropped into a beverage for flavoring.
And the second refers to a more abstract convolution, like an unexpected turn in a story or process:
- An unexpected change in a process or a departure from a pattern, often producing a distortion or perversion: a twist of fate; a story with a quirky twist.
The Free Dictionary Online
The noun form is attested from the mid-14th century, according to Etymonline:
mid-14c., "flat part of a hinge" (now obsolete), probably from Old English -twist "divided object; fork; rope" (as in mæsttwist "mast rope, stay;" candeltwist "wick"), from Proto-Germanic *twis-, from PIE root *dwo- "two." Original senses suggest "dividing in two" (source also of cognate Old Norse tvistra "to divide, separate," Gothic twis- "in two, asunder," Dutch twist, German zwist "quarrel, discord," though these senses have no equivalent in English), but later ones are of "combining two into one," hence the original sense of the word may be "rope made of two strands."
answered Dec 31 '18 at 14:38
RobustoRobusto
128k28303514
add a comment |
You are asking about two different senses of twist. The first refers to some concrete physical item that has been twisted:
twist n
1. Something twisted or formed by twisting, especially:
a. A length of yarn, cord, or thread, especially a strong silk thread used mainly to bind the edges of buttonholes.
b. Tobacco leaves processed into the form of a rope or roll.
c. A loaf of bread or other bakery product made from pieces of dough twisted together.
d. A sliver of citrus peel twisted over or dropped into a beverage for flavoring.
And the second refers to a more abstract convolution, like an unexpected turn in a story or process:
- An unexpected change in a process or a departure from a pattern, often producing a distortion or perversion: a twist of fate; a story with a quirky twist.
The Free Dictionary Online
The noun form is attested from the mid-14th century, according to Etymonline:
mid-14c., "flat part of a hinge" (now obsolete), probably from Old English -twist "divided object; fork; rope" (as in mæsttwist "mast rope, stay;" candeltwist "wick"), from Proto-Germanic *twis-, from PIE root *dwo- "two." Original senses suggest "dividing in two" (source also of cognate Old Norse tvistra "to divide, separate," Gothic twis- "in two, asunder," Dutch twist, German zwist "quarrel, discord," though these senses have no equivalent in English), but later ones are of "combining two into one," hence the original sense of the word may be "rope made of two strands."
answered Dec 31 '18 at 14:38
RobustoRobusto
128k28303514
You are asking about two different senses of twist. The first refers to some concrete physical item that has been twisted:
twist n
1. Something twisted or formed by twisting, especially:
a. A length of yarn, cord, or thread, especially a strong silk thread used mainly to bind the edges of buttonholes.
b. Tobacco leaves processed into the form of a rope or roll.
c. A loaf of bread or other bakery product made from pieces of dough twisted together.
d. A sliver of citrus peel twisted over or dropped into a beverage for flavoring.
And the second refers to a more abstract convolution, like an unexpected turn in a story or process:
- An unexpected change in a process or a departure from a pattern, often producing a distortion or perversion: a twist of fate; a story with a quirky twist.
The Free Dictionary Online
The noun form is attested from the mid-14th century, according to Etymonline:
mid-14c., "flat part of a hinge" (now obsolete), probably from Old English -twist "divided object; fork; rope" (as in mæsttwist "mast rope, stay;" candeltwist "wick"), from Proto-Germanic *twis-, from PIE root *dwo- "two." Original senses suggest "dividing in two" (source also of cognate Old Norse tvistra "to divide, separate," Gothic twis- "in two, asunder," Dutch twist, German zwist "quarrel, discord," though these senses have no equivalent in English), but later ones are of "combining two into one," hence the original sense of the word may be "rope made of two strands."
answered Dec 31 '18 at 14:38
RobustoRobusto
128k28303514
answered Dec 31 '18 at 14:38
RobustoRobusto
128k28303514
answered Dec 31 '18 at 14:38
RobustoRobusto
128k28303514
answered Dec 31 '18 at 14:38
RobustoRobusto
128k28303514
128k28303514
add a comment |
add a comment |
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Would be helpful to include a reference to the source that leads you to believe that the term is medieval in origin -- this seems to make a big difference and I would not have guessed it to be the case, so would be good to include so answers have that to work from.
– jkf
Dec 31 '18 at 19:32
The medieval reference seemed to be a spurious one from some googled link to a web disctiinary with no substance
– zeristor
Jan 2 at 11:44