Tie the knot

Posted by ESC on April 28, 2003

In Reply to: Tie the knot posted by S. Ryan on April 28, 2003

: While we understand the meaning of to "tie the knot," as in a marriage ceremony, can anyone help with its origin?

I don't have anything on its origin but I can tell you that it is old.

TIE THE KNOT - "Marry or get married. It would be interesting to know whether it was a man or woman who first envisioned marriage as a knot. Matthew Prior had heard the expression by 1717, when he wrote (in 'Alma'): 'So to the priest their case they tell: He ties the knot." From The Dictionary of Cliches by James Rogers (Ballantine Books, New York, 1985).

• Tie the knot ESC 04/29/03
  • Tie the knot ESC 04/29/03