HELP YOURSELF Meaning and
Definition
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"Help yourself" is a common idiomatic phrase used to encourage someone to take and serve themselves with food, drink, or other items without waiting for someone else to offer or serve it to them. It implies that the person is free to take what they need or want without seeking permission or assistance from others. The phrase can be seen as an invitation for individuals to help themselves to something that is readily available and accessible to them.
Originating from British English, the phrase is often used during social gatherings or events where guests are encouraged to serve themselves from a buffet or other serving table. It is a polite way of telling guests that they do not need to wait for the host or hostess to offer the items to them directly, and they are welcome to take what they desire. This idiom carries a sense of self-sufficiency and autonomy, allowing individuals to independently meet their own needs.
In a broader sense, "help yourself" can also be used metaphorically to convey the idea of taking advantage of opportunities or resources that are readily available. It suggests that one should act without hesitation or restraint in order to achieve their goals or fulfill their desires. Thus, "help yourself" can be seen as an empowering phrase that encourages individuals to seize opportunities and act upon their own initiative.
Common Misspellings for HELP YOURSELF
- gelp yourself
- belp yourself
- nelp yourself
- jelp yourself
- uelp yourself
- yelp yourself
- hwlp yourself
- hslp yourself
- hdlp yourself
- hrlp yourself
- h4lp yourself
- h3lp yourself
- hekp yourself
- hepp yourself
- heop yourself
- helo yourself
- hell yourself
- hel- yourself
- hel0 yourself
- help tourself
Etymology of HELP YOURSELF
The phrase "help yourself" originated from Middle English and has a combination of Old English and Old Norse roots.
The word "help" is derived from the Old English word "helpan", which meant "to assist or support". This word has Germanic origins and is related to similar words in other Germanic languages.
The word "yourself" is a compound of "your" and "self". "Your" is derived from the Old English word "eower", meaning "of or belonging to you". "Self" is derived from the Old English word "self", which referred to an individual or personal identity.
So, when these words are combined, "help yourself" literally means to assist or support oneself or to take action independently to meet one's needs or desires.
