Butter someone up
Posted by Henry on March 18, 2004
In Reply to: Butter someone up posted by ESC on March 18, 2004
: : Hi! Can you please give me some history on this phrase? Thank you...Sax
: BUTTER UP -- "Flatter; seek a favor by excessive praise. It is a transfer from the homely practice of spreading an oleaginous substance on bread. Earlier examples of the figurative meaning can be cited, but the pleasantest one comes from the 'Saturday Review' of July 5, 1884: 'The Lord Chief Justice of England made a tour through America and generously buttered the natives." From The Dictionary of Cliches by James Rogers (Ballantine Books, New York, 1985).
"Butter up" was an answer in a crossword puzzle recently - the clue was "Blandish mountain goat".
- Butter someone up Bruce Kahl 18/March/04
- Butter someone up Henry 19/March/04
- Butter someone up Bruce Kahl 19/March/04
- Butter someone up Henry 19/March/04