John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
105 John Heywood 1497?-1580? John Bartlett
| NUMBER: | 105 |
| AUTHOR: | John Heywood (1497?–1580?) |
| QUOTATION: | A sleveless errand. 1 |
| ATTRIBUTION: | Proverbes. Part i. Chap. vii. |
| Note 1. The origin of the word “sleveless,” in the sense of unprofitable, has defied the most careful research. It is frequently found allied to other substantives. Bishop Hall speaks of the “sleveless tale of transubstantiation,” and Milton writes of a “sleveless reason.” Chaucer uses it in the Testament of Love.—Sharman. [back] |