I thank my Jonah's twins

Posted by Russ Cable on September 30, 2005

In Reply to: I thank my Jonah's twins posted by Ben Lappin on September 30, 2005

: This line appears in a musical first performed in 1914 called Lady Luxury. It is unclear whether it is an expression of actual thankfulness or frustration: the character utters it after his romantic opposite has insinuated that she likes him and then fled the room in tears (due to his supposed ill deeds). I read about the expression "to be a Jonah," and that seems the most likely source, but I can't fathom why it would be phrased this way, as I can't discern any particular twosome of things that would be referenced here.

: It may also be "I think my Jonah's twins," but this makes less sense.

"I think my Jonah's twins" could mean that he thinks he's doubly jinxed (his Jonah is twins - he has 2 Jonahs).