Introduction
Ever wondered how you can serve a dish of poetic justice without stepping into the messy realm of revenge? Enter the world of “paying in someone’s own coin.” No, we’re not talking loose change, but a payback packed with wit and antiquity!
Definition
Pay in someone’s own coin, to: To repay in kind; take revenge. This term presumably once meant that repayment of a loan would be in exactly the same currency as had been lent. The term dates from Roman times (Plautus and Pliny were among the writers who used it) and was being used figuratively by the sixteenth century. “I did but pay him in’s own coin,” wrote George Chapman in his play The Widdowes Teares (1612).
Got it? Excellent! Now, let’s unfold more treasures from this trove.
Related and Similar Terms
- Tit for Tat: A retaliation in kind.
- Eye for an eye: Justice based on retribution.
- Turn the tables: Change a situation to gain an advantage over someone.
- What goes around comes around: Actions, good or bad, will return to affect the performer.
- Karma’s a… laugh, isn’t it?: The principle of karmic retribution with a humorous twist!
Proverbs & Common Phrases
- “Revenge is a dish best served cold.”
- “You reap what you sow.”
- “Justice delayed is justice denied.”
- “Dishonor on you, dishonor on your cow!” - Mushu (Mulan) 🐉
Humor-Filled Quotes
- “Revenge is sweet and not fattening.” – Alfred Hitchcock
- “I’m not one for revenge, but a well-placed ‘I told you so’ has its moments.” – Anonymous
- “Don’t get mad, get even… or at least slightly annoyed.”
Suggested Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies:
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Books:
- The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas.
- Carrie by Stephen King.
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Songs:
- “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele 🎤
- “Bad Blood” by Taylor Swift
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Poetry:
- “Revenge” by Letitia Elizabeth Landon.
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Movies:
- Kill Bill series.
- Mean Girls 🌈
- V for Vendetta
All’s Well That Ends Well
Remember, repaying in someone’s own coin can be a fine art, often best left to the poets, screenplay writers, and witty comebacks of life. Exercise it wisely, and if nothing else, enjoy the delightful exploration of language’s playful twist on human nature.
Quizzes 🎓
Inspirational Thought-Provoking Farewell:
May your endeavours be like a boomerang of good deeds coming back not to hit you in the head but to warmly embrace you. Until then, tread the fine line of wit with wisdom.
Lexi Quipquip