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Old chestnut

Old chestnut

Meaning

A story that has been told repeatedly and which has lost any originality.

Examples

Grandma brings out that story about her meeting the Queen every Christmas. It really is a hoary old chestnut.

Where did it originate?

Britain – 19th century.

Where is it used?

Worldwide, but most common in the UK.

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About the Author

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.
Old chestnut

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