Usually in our jocular use of the phrase “going to town” we slur it to “goin’ to town.”
It means alert and eager, full of life and vivacity, in the state or condition in which Fortune shines upon one.
Although a very modern expression, we must seek its significance in the backwoods days of more than half a century ago when, for many persons, a visit to a town was a momentous event. One prepared several days in advance for such a trip, getting one’s clothes in order and making up a shopping list.
The trip and the visit itself were filled with interest. The occasion, if the weather were fine, was one of great good fortune. In modern usage the phrase retains much of that same spirit of high adventure.
Related Posts
-
How did the word “town” originate and What does town mean in Old English?
In many parts of Europe it is still unusual to find a farmer who lives upon his farm. Generally he lives in a nearby village and walks each day to his fields. The…
-
What Town In Australia Is The Largest Town In The World?
Australia is a nation of big cities, at least in terms of area. Sydney, the most populous city in Australia, is also one of the largest cities on earth, covering about 670 square…
-
What Is the Difference Between a Town and a City and What Is the Most Common Name For a Town?
A town is often defined as having between 2,500 and 20,000 residents, but there are no strict guidelines. Historically, in Europe, a city was understood to be an urban settlement with a cathedral.…
-
Where does the phrase “one horse town” come from and What does it mean?
The phrase "one horse town" is American; we use the expression disparagingly to designate a town of such limited resources, so sleepy and dole-so, that one horse might be able to do all…
-
How Did the Expression “Toast of the Town” Originate and What Does the Phrase Mean?
By the eighteenth century, wealthy young men had turned feasting into an art, and at the core of the elaborate ritual was the drinking of wine. It was the custom to offer a…
-
Where did the expression “to paint the town red” come from and What does it mean?
Nowadays the expression "to paint the town red" has no greater significance than to go on a spree, usually in company with others of like mind. As far as the records go, the…
