Cross My Heart And Hope To Die Origin

Many individuals use the expression cross my heart and hope to die as an oath making the sign of the cross in order to show truthfulness and sincerity sworn before god in both personal and legal situations.

Cross my heart and hope to die origin. The phrase cross my heart and hope to die is used to emphasise the truthfulness and sincerity of what one is saying from the action of making a small sign of the cross over one s heart which sometimes accompanies the words. Cross my heart and hope to die meaning. For example i did lock the door cross my heart and hope to die. 1857 a play by henry clay preuss.

Said to show that what you have just said or promised is completely true or sincere 2. Solemnly assure someone that the truth has been spoken. Attest to the truth of something. Idiomatic added to a promise or a statement to show how serious one was about being honest in what one said.

From 2107 curious word origins sayings expressions from white elephants to a song and dance by charles earle funk galahad book new york 1993. The ritual is rare within the reformed tradition and in other branches of protestantism. It is first recorded in fashions and follies of washington life washington d c. Cross my heart and hope to die.

Cross my heart and hope to die. The british extended version at least in south east england is cross my heart and hope to die stick a needle in my eye. It seems to have originated in the usa in the second half of the 19th century. For example i did lock the door cross my heart and hope to die.

This phrase most likely originated as a religious oath based on the sign of the cross. This phrase most likely originated as a religious oath based on the sign of the cross.