2006-06-15 08:21:35 · 6 answers · asked by robertspraguejr 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
The basic meaning is as others have said, but what the expression ALSO means is that people sometimes get confused and MISquote!
"Gild the lily" is based on a line in Shakespeare's play, The Life and Death of King John (Act IV, Scene ii).
BUT that's not how the line actually goes! What Shakespeare wrote was subtler:
''To gild refined gold, to paint the lily... Is wasteful and ridiculous excess."
We still get the basic sense --that this is a criticism of the idea of trying to improve on something in the very area in which it most perfect (beautful, valuable). But why choose the image of putting GOLD on a lily? (not to mention the fact that gilding requires that the metal be melted, which would destroy the lily!)
So why DO we misquote it? I think the answer is simple -- the misquotes creates a catchy internal rhyme ("il" in both words) not present in "paint the lily". So the catchier SOUND overcomes the better SENSE. Andmaybe the absurdity of putting gold on a lily caught people's imaginations?
2006-06-15 11:23:57 · answer #1 · answered by bruhaha 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Gilding The Lily
2016-10-06 06:19:40 · answer #2 · answered by shimp 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is an old expression you may have heard - to 'gild the lilly'. Basically, this means that if something is working fine, don't attempt to 'fix it', or 'improve it'.
sine you said dont gild the lilly it would be opposite of that^
2006-06-15 08:24:52 · answer #3 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What it means is, if something is beautiful, don't try to decorate it up or it will lose its beauty. The reference actually comes from the bible, where the lily is used as an example of something that represents pure beauty. "Regard the lillies of the field -- they spin not, neither do they weave." -- In other words, they can be appreciate just for their beauty and don't have to do anything to justify it.
Taking it a step further, if it is already beautiful, you don't have to do anything to it.
2006-06-16 12:12:50 · answer #4 · answered by old lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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The expression "loaded for bear"means that the person is well-prepared. It probably originated during colonial times when muskets, gun powder, horses, and dogs were used to hunt for meat. In the present time, it means well prepared to fight, debate, discuss, take a test, give a speech, or provide evidence and testimony in the prosecution of a law suit. I first heard this expression when I was a child growing up in upstate New York. But I haven't heard it in the midwest, or the east, or the far west at all. I may have used it myself when I was in the deep South.
2016-03-28 04:45:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means>> when something is already beautiful, why paint over it? To me, gilding the lily is like putting make-up on an already perfect-looking face... it's beautiful, just as it is. I don't consider myself to look like a lily, so I gild... (paint, put on make-up).
2006-06-15 08:36:59 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means that you should not enhance anything - let it be what it is. Sometimes it is used in reference to male private parts, meaning don't stuff socks down your jeans and think people are going to believe it.
2006-06-15 08:25:27 · answer #7 · answered by Tweakers 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Gild The Lilly
2016-06-23 01:52:54 · answer #8 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋