The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (3 page)
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ACCIDENTS will happen (in the best-regulated families)
1763Deuce is in Him
1.22
Accidents, accidents will happen—No less than seven brought into our infirmary yesterday.
1819
‘’
Hermit in America
i.
Accidents will happen in the best regulated families.
1850
David Copperfield
xxviii.
‘Copperfield,’ said Mr. Micawber, ‘accidents will occur in the best-regulated families; and in families not regulated by .. the influence of Woman, in the lofty character of Wife, they must be expected with confidence, and must be borne with philosophy.’
1939
Christmas Holiday
x.
Accidents will happen in the best regulated families, and .. if you find you've got anything the matter with you,.. go and see a doctor right away.
1979
Angels in your Beer
xii.
It would be so convenient if something happened to them … Accidents do happen, as they say.
misfortune
There is no ACCOUNTING for tastes
It is impossible to explain why different people like different things (especially things that do not appeal to the speaker). Also now in the form
there is no accounting for taste
. The saying is a version of the Latin tag
de gustibus non est disputandum
, there is no disputing about tastes. Cf.
1599
J. MINSHEU
Dialogues in Spanish
6 Against ones liking there is no disputing.
1794
Mysteries of Udolpho
I. xi.
I have often thought the people he disapproved were much more agreeable than those he admired;—but there is no accounting for tastes.
1889
Nether World
II. viii.
There is no accounting for tastes. Sidney .. not once .. congratulated himself on his good fortune.
1974
Porterhouse Blue
x.
‘He was in the grip of Mrs Biggs.’.. ‘No accounting for tastes,’ said the Dean.
1985
Doubting Thomas
iv.
‘You're usually in here with a little guy, wears a rug. Looks like he gets his suits from Sears. Paisley ties … There's no accounting for taste.’
idiosyncrasy
;
taste
there is no accounting for taste
. The saying is a version of the Latin tag
de gustibus non est disputandum
, there is no disputing about tastes. Cf.
1599
J. MINSHEU
Dialogues in Spanish
6 Against ones liking there is no disputing.
1794Mysteries of Udolpho
I. xi.
I have often thought the people he disapproved were much more agreeable than those he admired;—but there is no accounting for tastes.
1889
Nether World
II. viii.
There is no accounting for tastes. Sidney .. not once .. congratulated himself on his good fortune.
1974
Porterhouse Blue
x.
‘He was in the grip of Mrs Biggs.’.. ‘No accounting for tastes,’ said the Dean.
1985
Doubting Thomas
iv.
‘You're usually in here with a little guy, wears a rug. Looks like he gets his suits from Sears. Paisley ties … There's no accounting for taste.’
idiosyncrasy;
taste
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