To the manner born

Posted by ESC on April 08, 2001

In Reply to: PLZ! EXPLAIN WHAT "of the manor born" MEANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! posted by Celina B. on April 08, 2001

: Never heard this phrase b4! I need a reply! Can anybody please explain what "of the manor born" means? Important.
: TY, Celina :)

THE MANNER BORN - "Though I am native here and to the manner born, it is a custom more honored in the breach than in the observance." Hamlet by William Shakespeare. "What Hamlet means is there is more honor in breaking than in observing the custom, which is to drain a goblet of wine in a single gulp when making a toast. He finds his country's reputation for drunkenness embarrassing. The quote is commonly misused to refer to a custom more often ignored than followed." From "Dictionary of Quotations from Shakespeare" selected by Margaret Miner and Hugh Rawson (Penguin Books, New York, published by Signet, 1994).