Box and Cox


What's the meaning of the phrase 'Box and Cox'?

To take turns.

What's the origin of the phrase 'Box and Cox'?

The term comes from the comic play ‘Box and Cox – A Romance of Real Life in One Act’, by John Maddison Morton. This was first produced at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, London, in November 1847.

Box and Cox were two lodgers who shared their rooms – one occupying them by day and the other by night.

Trend of box and cox in printed material over time

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.
Box and Cox

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