Man of the cloth
Posted by ESC on August 22, 2000
In Reply to: Man of the cloth posted by ARL on August 22, 2000
: Friends,
: I am looking for the origin of the phrase "man of the cloth" used with regard to clergy.
: Thanks!
I couldn't find this in the archives or in my notes. But I recall finding the origin of this phrase in a reference book. When I figure out where I read this, I'll post the exact reference.
Anyway, from memory: At one point, any man wearing the "uniform" of his profession (for example, a baker wearing an apron and chef's hat) was called a "man of the cloth." Eventually, this term only came to mean a member of the clergy.
- Man of the cloth ESC 08/23/00