A running investigation into the beginnings of some of life's great calls.
Colloquial Origin Number One: "That Old Chestnut"
Of course I'm going to start with one of my favourites. This turn of phrase doesn't often work in my favour, and has been used against me from time to time. It is expressly useful for immaturely debunking a legitimate argument; particularly those involving irritating spousal habits.
Yep, that old chestnut.
Her: Can you pah-leeeeeease pick up your path of god-damned stinking socks that appear to navigate their way from the bedroom door to the laundry door!?
Him: You're always saying you're looking for more direction in life... Is it too much trouble for you to just pick them up on your way?
Her: Yes!
Him: And why?
Her: Because you're a misogynist!
Him: Ah...that old chestnut.
Apparently the beginnings of this deliciously cynical phrase erupted in William Dimond's c.1800 play The Broken Sword. One particularly daft and socially inept character continues to sprout the same joke time and time again - the one about the cork tree. Isn't it funny how some characters are timeless?
His long-suffering recipient anticipates the punchline by stating "It was a chestnut....I have heard you tell that joke twenty-seven times and I'm sure it was a chestnut." (ref: Google Books ; Wikipedia ; WordReference)
His long-suffering recipient anticipates the punchline by stating "It was a chestnut....I have heard you tell that joke twenty-seven times and I'm sure it was a chestnut." (ref: Google Books ; Wikipedia ; WordReference)