fetch and carry
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fetch and carry
- /ˌfɛt͡ʃ n̩ ˈkæɹi/ UK
- /ˌfɛt͡ʃ n̩ ˈkæɹi/ US
- /ˌfɛt͡ʃ n̩ ˈkɛɹi/
Rhymes with -æɹi
Where it comes from
From fetch + and + carry, originally a reference to a trained dog fetching and conveying an object back to its master: see, for example, William Shakespeare’s play The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Act III, scene i (spelling modernized): “She hath more qualities than a water-spaniel, […] She can fetch and carry: why a horse can do no more; nay, a horse cannot fetch, but only carry, therefore is she better than a jade.”
verb fetches and carries · fetching and carrying · fetched and carried
- To serve obsequiously. It was curious to ſee what heavy burthens your true court-bred ladies and gentlemen can bear in the ſervice of their prince, aye and bear ſmilingly. […] [L]ike that enduring animal [the ass] they appeared to be ſo familiar with ſlavery, that they took patiently what nothing but a beaſt of burthen wo
- To carry gossip, news, etc., from one person to another; to bear tales, to gossip. And as Miſs is ſo fond of fetching and carrying, you may tell her we are to have a private play among ourſelves, as the quality have: the Diſtruſtful Mother, 'tis call'd— […]
- To carry or convey (gossip, news, etc.) from one person to another; to bear (tales). If we are of a froward peeviſh and untractable Temper, we ſhall be apt when we have nothing elſe to do, to be venting our Activity in factious and turbulent Zeal, in ſeditious Pratings and Conſpiracies, in backbiting our Adverſaries, and fetching and carrying ſcandalous Reports to create Jealouſies
