BESHREW THEE Meaning and
Definition
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"Beshrew thee" is an archaic and somewhat poetic expression used in older forms of English, particularly during the Renaissance period. The phrase consists of two words: "beshrew" and "thee."
"Beshrew" is a verb that means to invoke a curse or misfortune upon someone. It is derived from the Middle English word "bewrihen," which translates to "conjure misfortune." Thus, when one says "beshrew," they are essentially wishing ill upon the person they are addressing. This verb is often used in an exclamation or as an interjection to convey anger, frustration, or annoyance towards someone, or to express playful banter.
"Thee" is an archaic pronoun, which is the second person singular objective case form of "you." It is used to refer specifically to one person. In modern English, the equivalent pronoun would be "you."
Combining both parts, "beshrew thee" can be understood as a Shakespearean or poetic way of saying "curse you" or "may ill fortune befall you." While it may have been used more commonly in the past, it is now considered outdated and is rarely spoken in contemporary English. However, it can still be found in literature, plays, or historical texts to provide a sense of authenticity or to evoke a specific time period.
Etymology of BESHREW THEE
The phrase beshrew thee has its origins in Middle English, where beshrew is a verb meaning to curse or blame someone. The word beshrew comes from the Old English term gesceadwian, which means to ruin or curse. In early modern English, beshrew evolved further and became a mild expression of disapproval or annoyance rather than an actual curse. It is often used in the form beshrew thee, which means may harm befall you or may misfortune come upon you.
