phrases, sayings, idioms and expressions at

Away with the fairies

Posted by Victoria S Dennis on November 14, 2005

In Reply to: Away with the fairies posted by sinead on November 13, 2005

: Does anyone know how the phrase 'away with the fairies' came to be? thanks

It's an Irish/Scots phrase. In Gaelic folkloretradition there are numerous stories of humans who went off with, or visited the homes of, the Sidhe, the "fairies" of Gaelic tradition. These people would stay with the fairies for what seemed like only a few hours, but when they returned to the everyday world they would find that many years had passed. So anyone who is "away with the fairies" is definitely not available to you for practical help or sensible conversation.

See also: the meaning and origin of away with the fairies.

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