What is the meaning of the phrase ‘ugly as sin’?
Extremely ugly or repulsive and repugnant. Physically or morally hideous.
What is the origin of the phrase ‘ugly as sin’?
The word ‘sin’ is derived from the Middle English word ‘sinne’ which in turn is derived from the Old English word ‘syn’ which was defined as ‘an offence against God or against divine law’.
The phrase ‘ugly as sin’ emerged in the early 19th century, with some sources suggesting it appeared around 1801. It likely replaced an earlier expression, ‘ugly as the devil,’ which similarly linked physical ugliness to moral corruption.
The association between sin and ugliness is common across many cultures, reflecting the idea that evil or immoral behaviour manifests in one’s appearance.
What are some notable uses of the phrase ‘ugly as sin’?
The phrase appears in Mark Twain’s novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, published in 1884. Mark Twain was known for using colloquial and regional phrases to add authenticity to his characters’ dialogue in this sort of way. The phrase helps capture the tone and style of everyday speech in the American South during that era.
There was a punk-rock band called ‘Ugly as sin’ that formed in London, England in 1989, adopting the phrase as their name, perhaps to evoke a rebellious attitude.
