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Over my dead body

Posted by Smokey Stover on November 01, 2008 at 17:44

In Reply to: Over my dead body posted by Stephen Blyth on October 31, 2008 at 08:26:

: Hi, just wondering if anyone knows where the phrase - "over my dead body" came from.

: Looking forward to hearing your replies, thanks. Steve

If you mean when was it first uttered and by whom, you may have trouble finding an answer. The phrase uses ordinary language in an adverbial phrase used to mean, "but you have to kill me first," or at least, "that can only happen if I'm dead." In other words, I will take extreme measure to see that that doesn't happen. "Sure you can marry my daughter--over my dead body." Or, "Your mother can come visit any time she wants--over my dead body." Those are flippant examples, but it probably started out very seriously. "If his forces cross the river, it will be over my dead body--and those of my troops." "He can ascend to the throne only over my dead body."
SS

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