As rare as hens teeth

Posted by ESC on April 28, 2009 at 22:50

In Reply to: As rare as hens teeth posted by ESC on April 28, 2009 at 22:35:

: : I've 2 phrases that that I'm curious about in regards to use and origin

: : Rare as hens teeth... and... For love nor money. Any ideas?

: scarcer than hen's teeth -- Hen's don't have teeth. One reference says it is an Americanism that probably goes back to colonial days but was first recorded in 1862. Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins by Robert Hendrickson (Facts on File, New York, 1997). Page 595.

I couldn't find an origin for the second. But it is used like this: I wouldn't do that for love nor money. Tickets aren't available for love nor money.

• As rare as hens teeth Victoria S Dennis 30/April/09
  • As rare as hens teeth JohnWW 16/May/09