What does mean "better part"?
, do you often use this phrase?
and is it casual?
2006-12-21 12:18:06 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
One meaning is old English and is from the King James version of the Bible. In the story of Martha and Mary, Martha was very busy ("encumbered with much serving") and criticised her sister Mary for sitting and listening to Jesus instead of scurrying about doing the work. Jesus told Martha: "Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken away from her." In other words, Mary had made the better choice. That's what "better part" means in that sense.
There is a modern colloquial use of "better part", however, when one says (for example): "I spent the better half of two thousand dollars on that machine." It means that you spent nearly two thousand dollars on the machine in question. "I have been cooking for the better part of three hours" means that you have spent nearly three hours cooking. It is quite common among speakers of British English. It is colloquial, but not slang.
2006-12-21 12:48:04 · answer #1 · answered by Doethineb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Better part means the majority of as in "the better part of the year." It means the majority of the year. It is a regional phrase in some areas. It is considered casual English and is considered incorrect if used in formal writing.
2006-12-21 12:33:43 · answer #2 · answered by cece 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Example: I played at Janes house for the better part of an hour.
*it means I played at Janes house for almost but not quite an hour.
Occasionally used... probably more of a southern USA term.
and yes its casual
2006-12-21 12:31:33 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The "better part" of something means more than half or the majority of it. To say that the better part of the class had pizza would mean most of them or at least half of the class had pizza.
2006-12-21 12:26:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When people use the word 'good' in terms of morality, they simply mean a moral code that agrees with what they believe, and they generally believe what it is convenient for them to believe.
2016-05-23 08:45:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
what does "better part" mean?
Do you use this phrase often? - yes
Is it casual? not really.
2006-12-21 12:21:28 · answer #6 · answered by e 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont know, I asume it is slang...
I would check urbandictionary.com
2006-12-21 12:21:11 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋