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High and mightyMeaningPowerful and superior, or arrogantly affecting to be so. OriginLike those people who ride a high horse, the high and mighty were formerly the powerful and imperious and were glad to be seen to be so. This usage dates from the 15th century and is found in print in Sir Henry Ellis's collection of Letters, which includes a transcript of a letter sent by Robert Waterton to King Henry V, dated 1420:
These days, letters to the powerful, even to kings, aren't likely to be couched in such 'your cringing, fawning servant, sire' terms. To call someone high and mighty is to imply a criticism of their pomposity. Phrasefinder is also on
Tudor Phrases and Sayings - a book on the meanings and origins of the phrases and sayings that Shakespeare and Henry VIII used that we use still use every day. |
