Re: Waxing wroth

Posted by pamela on February 20, 2007

In Reply to: Re: Waxing wroth posted by Smokey Stover on February 20, 2007

: : : : Is there such a phrase as "waxing roth" --- meaning, I think, to be very upset or mad?

: : : : I recall that phrase was included in a Marx Brothers movie, the one where Groucho is president of a university. He's in his office and in comes his secretary; the secretary reminds him that an important visitor has been waiting very long to see Groucho and that the latter has kept the visitor waiting.

: : : : The secretary says, "(the visitor) is so upset at being kept waiting -- he's waxing roth." Groucho, as only he could do, quips, "Well tell him to wax someone else!"

: : : You were close. It's spelled wroth.

: : For your further enlightenment: "Waxing" means "becoming" or "growing," as in "a waxing moon," one that (apparently) gets bigger. "Wroth" is an archaic word for "wrathful." ~rb

: In "Horse Festhers" Groucho is president of Huxley College. Is that the one you had in mind, Bob?
: SS

Yes, it's "Horse Feathers" (1932). From IMDB.com the line is:

Wagstaff's Receptionist: The Dean is furious! He's waxing wroth!

Pamela