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Bosom buddies

Posted by Victoria S Dennis on November 14, 2008 at 07:59

In Reply to: Bosom buddies posted by Dennis Mullarkey on November 13, 2008 at 21:15:

: From where/when does the phrase "bosom buddies" originate?


It's an updated American-English version of "bosom friend" which goes back to the 16th century (first usage cited 1590). At that time one of the meanings of "bosom" was "the breast considered as the seat of thoughts and feelings: hence 'inward thoughts'". Thus, a "bosom friend" was someone so dear and trusted that you would frankly "unbosom" yourself to him/her - i.e. reveal all your most private thoughts. (VSD)

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