ESL Vocabulary and Idioms

Re: tried but true

Pter — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:15:00 GMT

No, it isn't logical. It was just a wild guess because there is a similar saying in my own language.

A method or trick that relies on an element of surprise or sense of novelty can be "worn out" if used repeatedly. For example, the first time you take a girl to a special place, she would be very happy. But if you always take her to the same place, that would be very boring. However, there are certain things that always work no matter how many times you do it.

Re: tried but true

Mister Micawber — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:56:03 GMT

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1-- This is a fixed expression: Tried-and-true (adj, 1792) Tested and proved to be worthy or good.

2-- Your argument, Petr, is unfortunately as illogical as the original misquote. Methods cannot be outworn; if they work, they are used again and again.

Re: tried but true

Pter — Fri, 09 May 2008 09:20:00 GMT

I don't know, but could it possibly mean that although the method has been tried and used too many times, it still works?

Re: tried but true

Mister Micawber — Fri, 09 May 2008 06:31:19 GMT

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Your example is an oxymoronic misunderstanding of the correct 'tried and true': The method has been tried and it has therefore been proven true.

tried but true

Pb03 — Fri, 09 May 2008 06:26:59 GMT

Hello everyone,

I'm wondering whether the phrases 'tried but true' and 'tried and true' are the same in meaning.

Any difference between them?

Thanks for your help~!

For your reference, here is some context.

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Some good, common ways are to talk about the weather or local news or to find out if you know someone in common. If someone has just arrived from another city or country, you could ask about that personâsjourney. A tried but true method is to offer someone a drink or some food and then talk about your likes and dislikes.