"Much truth is said in jest."
"Many a truth is said in jest."
Most people are familiar with these two phrases, both of which have the same meaning. The phrases may be spoken with jocularity, sarcasm, or spite - perhaps all three thrown into the same utterance. I went looking for the source of this phrase, thinking if I was going to include it in a blog posting, I should discover background regarding it. After some searching and clicking (not even needing to go to the source of all that is factual - Wikipedia) I discovered that Geoffrey Chaucer probably alluded to the gist of the idea first in a work titled The Cook's Tale (1390):
But yet I pray thee be not wroth for game, (don't be angry with my jesting)
A man my say full sooth (the truth) in game and play.
William Shakespeare would later write, in King Lear (1605):
Jesters do oft prove prophets.
It was recently pointed out to me that I was addicted to my smart phone. While I do take exception to the remark, I must admit it is - perhaps - a way-too-handy tool for a number of "things", all of which seem important at the time of phone use. My usage of Post-Its is way down. In fact, I am no longer considering buying stock in the company that makes them - 3M, I think. Instead of Post-Its, I am constantly adding to my reminder list on my phone. When a thought pops into my head I must record it somewhere due to the flitting nature of my brain. "Easy come, easy go" is the way my brain operates at times. If the thought is not captured quickly, retrieval is often impossible. Therefore, if I am riding in the car as a passenger, I am probably busy typing thoughts and ideas into my phone's reminder list, which adds to the issue of my rustifying (my word) conversation skills.
Was much truth said in jest?
Possibly.
Ancora imparo
