AboutTed Nesbitt Expertise I have an interest in the meanings of words and phrases, as well as how and when they became part of the English language. I enjoy
researching idioms, colloquialisms, dialects, and obscurities of
all kinds. I prefer short questions on a particular subject, and
I will not accept lengthy research projects or term papers. NOTE: ALLEXPERTS CLAIMS THAT I TRANSLATE FROM ENGLISH TO LATIN AND FROM LATIN TO ENGLISH. I DO NOT. ALLEXPERTS REFUSES TO DELETE THE LATIN-TO-ENGLISH SERVICE -- ONE THAT I DO NOT PROVIDE.
TRUST ME ON THIS: ALLEXPERTS IS WRONG. I DO NOT TRANSLATE FROM ENGLISH TO LANGUAGE. LOOK FOR A LANGUAGE EXPERT INSTEAD. ETYMOLOGY AND TRANSLATING SERVICES ARE ENTIRELY DIFFERENT. ALLEXPERTS SHOULD KNOW THAT. ALLEXPERTS DOES NOT KNOW THAT. I HAVE TRIED FOR MANY YEARS TO GET THEM TO CHANGE. THEY WILL NOT. SORRY, BUT I DO NOT TRANSLATE FROM ENGLISH TO LATIN.
Experience I am the bibliographic instruction and reference librarian at a public
college. My master's thesis concerns William Faulkner's tragic novels. I formerly taught advanced placement English at two schools in the Philadelphia area.
I have been a member of the grammar and writing section of Allexperts
for more than a year.
Education/Credentials Masters degrees in English, philosophy, and library science.
I was taught to have manners and am respectful to most people so I promise you that I will thank you if you can respond to this question. I've tried to get an answer, but no one is quite sure of the meaning of this comment: "I worship the ground that's coming to her." I know what "I worship the ground she walks on." means but have never heard of "the ground that's coming to her". Would you know what it means?
Thank you and best regards,
Rhoda
Answer Dear Rhoda:
I can tell you what it means, but I have been unable to identify the country of origin, although the Irish use it frequently.
"I worship the ground that's coming to her."
It is used especially in reference to mothers-in-law. A translation of its meaning is "I look forward to her death -- the day when she is buried."
In other words, the person is so despised that her burial place is considered a hallowed place to be worshipped. It's just a delightful twist that the GROUND is coming to HER and NOT that SHE is going to be BURIED.
If I can find the country of origin, I'll get back to you. I am fairly certain that it is from Ireland.
