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*High time
*High time
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meantolearn
#78484 Fri, 04 Mar 05 11:43 PM
Hi,
It's high time = It's about time
Does anyone know why 'high' is so used. Is the phrase associated with high or low??
Thanks,
meantolearn
Joined on Thu, Feb 24 2005
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Mister Micawber
#78498 Sat, 05 Mar 05 12:44 AM
It does not mean 'about time' -- it means the last appropriate time, verging on lateness.
One source's indication of its origin is Shakespeare's
Comedy of Errors
:
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE:
There's none but witches do inhabit here;
And therefore 'tis high time that I were hence.
This is at least an early use. I suppose the meaning may be related to that for 'high tea'-- over to you, BrE speakers!
Mister Micawber
Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004
Yokohama
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'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'
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