Age Before Beauty
Age Before Beauty - This idiom suggests deferring to an older person before oneself, often used in jest or sarcastically. Imagine queuing up for an adventure and offering to let a sage old wizard go ahead of you just to avoid some dragon flames. Originally, it held a semblance of genuine respect but has long since been marinated in a sauce of irony.
Delightful Definitions:
- Definition: Defer to an older person, often used ironically.
- Synonyms: Ladies first, Respect your elders (though with an infusion of sarcasm).
- Antonyms: Youth felt before prudence, Young and reckless.
Related and Similar Terms:
- After you, Alphonse—no, after you, Gaston: Another example of exaggerated politeness originating from the comic strip “Alphonse and Gaston.”
- Pearls before swine: A witty and biting response involving casting good things before those who cannot appreciate them.
Humor-Filled Quotes:
“I’d open the gate, but age before beauty, so please, after you, Your Highness of Wrinkles.”
Literature and Media:
- Books: P.G. Wodehouse’s works often play with sarcasm in lower-middle and upper-crust societies.
- Movies: “The Grand Budapest Hotel” by Wes Anderson indulges in dry and ironic humor.
- Songs: “Older” by They Might Be Giants, a humorous reflection on aging.
- Poetry: Ogden Nash’s humorous verses often play with ironies in everyday idioms.
### Which of these phrases is used sarcastically?
- [x] Age before beauty
- [ ] Beauty before bravery
- [ ] Youth before truth
- [ ] Grace before space
> **Explanation:** "Age before beauty" is often used ironically today, though it once held genuine respect for elders.
### Match the idiom with its meaning:
- **After you, Alphonse—no, after you, Gaston**
- [ ] Genuine admiration
- [ ] Disdainful rejection
- [ ] Exaggerated politeness [x]
- [ ] Heroic sacrifice
> **Explanation:** This originates from a comic strip and pokes fun at excessive manners.
### True or False: "Pearls before swine" means casting good things before unappreciative individuals.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** Correct! This idiom depicts giving something precious to someone who won't value it.
Farewell, fellow language enthusiasts! Whether wrangling words or clashing clichés, always remember: in the grand theater of life, humor tends to sneak in, sprinkle some irony, and steal the show.
Your phrase-hunting companion, Alastair S. Phraseworthy
