'you're a real piece of work'

Posted by Ward on September 01, 2004

I used this expression in an email recently, and then tried to get some information about its origin. There is a reference to Hamlet, but little else I could find. Any thoughts on when this entered our lexicon?

• 'you're a real piece of work' Lexi 02/September/04
  • 'you're a real piece of .......... ACME 02/September/04
    • Selective comprehension Lotg (OZ) 02/September/04
      • Selective comprehension Ward 03/September/04