swear on a stack of Bibles, to
Definition: To make a solemn oath. Traditionally, a solemn declaration or affirmation was pronounced as being by some sacred being or object. This practice is perpetuated in modern courtrooms by swearing in witnesses, a procedure that involves laying their hands on a Bible and pronouncing “Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?” Swearing on an entire stack of Bibles thus is construed as carrying considerably more weight than swearing on just one book. An American colloquialism from the mid-nineteenth century, it was used by Billie Holiday in her 1956 memoir, Lady Sings the Blues: “Mom . . . swore on a stack of Bibles I was eighteen.”
Synonyms:
- Swear an oath
- Take an oath
- Make a solemn promise
- Pledge on one’s honor
Antonyms:
- Break a promise
- Lie through one’s teeth
Related Expressions:
- Cross my heart and hope to die: A child’s playful yet earnest way of making a promise.
- Swear on my mother’s grave: This can possibly scare up more ghosts than necessary, but it packs an emotional punch.
- By Jove: Because swearing by the chief deity of Roman mythology adds a classic twist to your oaths.
Humor-Filled Quotes:
- “I swear on a stack of Bibles! But, if it’s a thin stack, does that mean I only have to tell partial truths?” — Minerva Merriweather
Proverbs:
- “Actions speak louder than words”: Because sometimes a truckload of Bibles can’t bail out a dishonest act.
- “A man of his word”: Verbal honesty can sometimes be weightier than any sacred tome-stacking.
Suggested Readings:
Literature:
- Billie Holiday’s Lady Sings the Blues (1956) - The origin of the specific usage of this idiom.
Movies:
- The 12 Angry Men (1957) – Witnesses swearing oaths and the gravity of truth.
Songs:
- Billy Joel’s “Honesty” – Because if truth was swearing on Bibles, this song is the Anthem.
May you forever cross your heart but never hope to die—carry oaths with the gravitas of a mountain of words. ✨📚🛤️
