Thursday, April 27, 2006

A Fancy Expression

The expression, "caught my fancy," has recently caught my fancy. What is the origin of this expression, and how come I am having difficulty finding more information on it? I searched Google, and I was unable to come up with anything useful.

Anyone know for sure or care to make an educated guess?
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3 comments:

  1. Anonymous4/28/2006 11:44 AM

    According to Dictionary.com, "fancy" is from the Middle English "fantsy" which meant fantasy/imagination.

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  2. Anonymous4/29/2006 2:05 PM

    From Online Etymology Dictionary: 1465, contraction of fantasy, it took the older and longer word's sense of "inclination, whim, desire." The v. meaning "take a liking to" (1545) is a contraction of fantasien "to fantasize (about)." The adj. is mid-18c.

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  3. Brute Force5/01/2006 1:16 AM

    Nice. Now I can rest... I should make use of the Online Etymology Dictionary. Sounds like a good resource.

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