Ancient history

What expressions did people use in medieval times?

Medieval expressions and phrases have a special charm that reflects the values, customs, and ways of life during that period. Here are some notable expressions used in medieval times:

1. "By my troth": This was used as an oath or affirmation, similar to "by my faith" today.

2. "Methinks": A combination of "me" and "thinks," it means "it seems to me."

3. "Alack": An exclamation expressing sadness or regret.

4. "Fie": An expression of contempt or disapproval, often used to express disgust.

5. "Forsooth": An adverb used to emphasize a statement, similar to "indeed" or "truly."

6. "God's wounds": A mild oath or exclamation expressing surprise, annoyance, or anger.

7. "Gramercy": A way to express gratitude, similar to "thank you" or "many thanks."

8. "Marry": An exclamation expressing surprise, joy, or annoyance, similar to "indeed" or "truly."

9. "Sooth": A noun that means "truth," and "forsooth" is often used to affirm something as truthful.

10. "Thy will be done": An expression of submission to fate, derived from the Lord's Prayer.

11. "All's well that ends well": This proverb implies that even if something starts poorly, a good ending makes up for it.

12. "Deeds, not words": A reminder that actions matter more than mere talk.

13. "He that hesitates is lost": Proverbial advice to act swiftly and decisively rather than hesitating.

14. "A penny saved is a penny earned": A reminder to value thriftiness and frugality.

15. "A fool and his money are soon parted": This saying cautions against making unwise or frivolous financial decisions.

These expressions provide a glimpse into the speech patterns and the cultural context of medieval times.