Beyond the shadow of a doubt
Posted by Gary Martin on May 20, 2008 at 07:29
In Reply to: Beyond the shadow of a doubt posted by Alex Skylark on May 20, 2008 at 07:09:
: Regarding the phrase "beyond the shadow of a doubt", in which Bob in 2000 wanted to know the origin. It appears in Robert Frost's brilliant poem "Trials by Existence". Not sure if that is the first usage, but Frost does not typically use common phrases so I must assume that it originated from him.
Not Robert Frost. That poem is circa 1896. The phrase was in use in the 19th century. The earliest citation I've found is in the Irish paper, The Public Register Or Freemans Journal, 8th Jan. 1765 (a snip at one penny).