What is the origin and what does it mean?

Posted by TheFallen on November 11, 2004

In Reply to: What is the origin and what does it mean? posted by David FG on November 11, 2004

: : : Can I please obtain help to settle a bet:

: : : Does anyone know where the phrase "an invite is worth half the show" come from and what does it mean?

: : : Thanks

: : Ummm... well havent heard that one, does anyone there know? I searched the Internet but doesn't pull up anything. ESC, Smokey Stover do you guys have anything to say?

: I have never heard it either. I am taking a guess here. I would assume it means something like the fact of being invited is an honour in itself and is, on its own, worth having, even without the added pleasures of the thing itself.

: Stand to be corrected on this one.

: DFG

I agree with DFG, but also can find no reference or indeed usage. There's a passage in Jane Austen's "Emma" that deals with invitations in a twisted sort of way. To paraphrase, the then loathsome Emma is furious at not having been invited to some social function. When asked if she would have attended she replies that of course she would not stoop so low but that it would have been delightful to have refused.

• What is the origin and what does it mean? Lotg 13/November/04