Sent for and couldn't go

Posted by Arthur on May 21, 2005

In Reply to: Sent for and couldn't go posted by Lori Lemley on May 21, 2005

: Sent for and couldn't go - my great grandfather Jackson used to say this when he was disappointed; he felt like he'd been "sent for and couldn't go."

: Any idea where this originated?

This phrase may have been inspired by the end of the parable of the marriage feast (Matthew 22:1-14). When the king notices a wedding guest without the proper attire, the man is ejected from the feast: "[13] Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' [14] For many are called, but few are chosen" (English Standard Version).

• Sent for and couldn't go ESC 22/May/05