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Coming up roses

Posted by ESC on December 08, 2003

In Reply to: Coming up roses posted by Henry on December 08, 2003

: : Looking for the origin of the phrase "coming up roses." I know there was a broadway play by that name, but wonder where the phrase originated


: EVERYTHING'S COMING UP ROSES is an interesting American idiom. It originated in the United States in the 1950's, and was used as the title of a popular song from the musical Gypsy. The words to that song give the meaning to this idiom. "Things look swell, things look great, Gonna have the whole world on a plate. Starting here, starting now Honey, everything's coming up roses."

Couldn't find an origin. Did find this which has a hint/clue:

EVERYTHING IS COMING UP ROSES - "Life looks great. Originated in the United States in 1957. Title of a popular song from the musical 'Gypsy' . The lyrics of the song 'Everything's Coming Up Roses' were written by Stephen Sondheim (1930 - ) and the music by Jule Styne (1905 - 94). It is interesting to note that in 1932 the Democrats launched their presidential campaign promising that 'Everything will be Rosy with Roosevelt'." From Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings by Gregory Y. Titelman (Random House, New York, 1996).

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