where does the phrase "that old chesnut" come from?

Answer 1

An old chestnut'- a tired old joke; any overly familiar topic
Although its origins are in an English melodrama, it was an American
actor who coined its usage. The actor, William Warren, found occasion
to quote from 'The Broken Sword', a rather mediocre play by William Dillon.
One of the characters has the irritating habit of telling and retelling
the same stories and jokes. He is embarking upon one such tale about a
cork tree when his companion, Pablo, interrupts crying.'A Chestnut, I
should know as well as you, having heard you tell the tale these
twenty-seven times, and I'm sure it was a chestnut'.
Warren, who played the part of Pablo in the melodrama, was at a dinner
one evening when a fellow guest started to recount a well-worn and
rather elderly anecdote, whereupon Warren murmured, 'A chestnut. I
have heard you tell the tale these twenty-seven times'.The rest of the
company was delighted with Warrens very appropriate quoting from the
play and it was not long before news of the incident had spread amongst
their acquaintances and beyond.


"Old chestnut" is a subject, idea, or joke which has been discussed or repeated so many times that it is not interesting or funny any more.

Answer 2

Two schoolboys were playing conkers one day, and the first lad, Jimmy, kept winning. Bert, his friend got a bit fed up with this and after 79 games, Bert had run out of conkers but still wanted to play. He asked his dad if there were any more conkers andhis dad said "No. There's only that old chestnut" which Bert put on a string and beat Jimmy's conker.

Honest! :~)

Answer 3

I think it means that same old thing.