Re: Off with the old, on with the new

Posted by Victoria S Dennis on May 17, 2005

In Reply to: Off with the old, on with the new posted by Sean on May 16, 2005

: Does anyone know where this idiom comes from? And what do "the old" and "the new" refer to?

: I don't know the absolute origin but there is an old (i.e. first printed in 1835 buit already traditional) folk song that goes:
It is good to be merry and wise,
It is good to be honest and true,
it is best to be off with the old love
before you are on with the new.

• Re: Off with the old, on with the new Steve E 18/May/05