Neither Hide Nor Hair
Neither hide nor hair - Nothing; no part of something. The term, which dates from Chaucer’s time, alludes to the fact that the outside of an animal is made up of hide and hair, which therefore constitute its entirety. The negative version, nearly always meaning that something or someone cannot be seen or found, became common in the mid-nineteenth century. “I haven’t seen hide nor hair of the piece,” wrote Josiah G. Holland (The Bay-Path, 1857).
Related and Similar Terms
- Vanished into thin air: Disappeared completely and suddenly, without a trace.
- Gone with the wind: Vanished as if carried away by the wind, often used romantically or poetically.
- Out of sight, out of mind: Something not seen for a while is easily forgotten.
- Like finding a needle in a haystack: The near-impossible task of locating something incredibly small in a large area.
Synonyms
- Nowhere to be found.
- Completely absent.
- Missing in action (MIA).
- Vanished.
Antonyms
- Present and accounted for.
- Right under one’s nose.
- Plain as day.
- Conspicuous.
Humor and Wit
“My car keys have pulled a ’neither hide nor hair’ vanishing act again! Pretty sure they’re planning a world tour without me.”
Proverbs and Quotes
- “When something disappears without hide nor hair, it’s either pulling the ultimate prank or auditioning for a magician’s assistant role.”
- “Searching for common sense in some people is like looking for a needle in a haystack—we see neither hide nor hair of it!”
Literature, Books, and Movies
- Literature: “The Bay-Path” by Josiah G. Holland – where the expression was commonly cited.
- Books: “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn – a modern-day mystery fitting the theme of disappearing without hide nor hair.
- Movies: “Gone Baby Gone” – an apt drama involving searches and intangible traces.
- Songs: “Disappearing Act” by Queensrÿche – a rock song exploring disappearance.
- Poetry: “The Stolen Child” by W.B. Yeats – a mystical tale of children who disappear, leaving neither hide nor hair behind.
Inspirational Thought
In the grand hide-and-seek of life, remember that sometimes the most elusive answers lead us to the most enlightening discoveries. Keep searching, exploring, and you might find more than just what has vanished.
Farewell Thought: Embrace the mysteries of life, for in them lies the beauty of discovery and the thrill of the unknown. Until next time, keep searching, and may you find what you seek—or perhaps, uncover something even more wondrous along the way.
