phrases, sayings, idioms and expressions at

"fair and square, who isn't there"

Posted by Gary Martin on July 11, 2005

In Reply to: "Fair and square, who isn't there" posted by Tony Langford on July 11, 2005

: "fair and square, who isn't there" is the tail end of a quotation which argued that beguilers can win by default. I heard that it originated from Shakespeare, but I cannot find it in Shakespeare references. I would like to know the full quotation and its origins. Thanks.

I don't know the origin, but it isn't Shakespeare. Fair and square, or rather "faire, and square" was used by Francis Bacon in 1604.

See also: the last words of Sir Francis Bacon.

© 1997 – 2024 Phrases.org.uk. All rights reserved.