Too much, too soon

Posted by Smokey Stover on April 22, 2004

In Reply to: Too much, too soon posted by Anders on April 22, 2004

: : : : Hi guys
: : : : I can see that many of the old chaps are still here, which is nice. I've taken a hiatus myself, but now I'm back. Does anyone know the origin of the expression "too much too soon"? I used it myself tonight over a business dinner, and came to wonder where the expression comes from, and where I had heard it the first time.
: : : : Thanks
: : : : Anders

: : : I haven't found anything yet. It sounds like the title of some old-time Photoplay/movie magazine article.

: : It was the title of a 1957 autobiography and a 1958 movie.

: : Too Much, Too Soon

: : Synopsis: A portrait of Diana Barrymore, the troubled daughter of famed actor John Barrymore. Despite her wealth and privilege, Diana suffers from lack of parental love. Her famous father is affectionate when sober but vicious when drunk -- which is often. Her mother is too preoccupied by her bitterness against Barrymore to pay much attention to Diana. Then, following in her father's footsteps, Diana becomes first an actor and then an alcoholic. Along with several failed marriages, her drinking leads to extended hospitalizations and numerous suicide attempts.

: Thanks, ESC. That's a little older than what I had come up with myself, cf. link. But is it the origin? Googling for 'too much too soon' it becomes evident that the expression is very popular indeed. Of course, one can substitute 'much' and 'soon' with any other pair, e.g. 'too young too pretty', but that doesn't make it an idiom. I say this, because at some point I was wondering if 'too much too soon' was even an idiom. Given its popularity, however, I do believe it is.

Anders raises an interesting question, when he asks if "too much too soon" is an idiom, the question being, "What's an idiom?" Let's go back to the existence of something called "idiomatic English." That means, I think, English that seems natural to those born to the language. I don't think it has to mean "mysterious or impenetrable to foreigners." Perhaps an idiom is an "idiomatic expression," which is presumably one that requires more than textbook knowledge of how native speakers express themselves. Personally, I think "too much too soon," however familiar it may seem (and how suggestive it may be of Sunday supplement slogans) is in no way an idiom, nor a saying. How many times have you heard anyone actually say it? {Well, a few, I suppose--in imitation of the language of checkout line journalism.) But there is nothing peculiar or unique about the language of "too much too soon." It's just a phrase like any other. And speaking of Diana Barrymore, poor lost soul, isn't she the mother of Drew? That should count for something. SS

• Too much, too soon Anders 22/April/04
  • Too much, too soon Smokey Stover 23/April/04