English
in a manner of speaking
In a manner of speaking comes from Middle English a maner of speche ‘a manner of literary style’.
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500a maner of speche‘a manner of literary style’
- Englishearliest quotation 1881–1882in a manner of speaking
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500a maner of speche‘a manner of literary style’
- Englishearliest quotation 1881–1882in a manner of speaking
Earliest quotation: 1881–1882, Robert Louis Stevenson, London; Paris: Cassell & Company: “Well, well, cap'n," returned the sea-cook, ". . .…”
Every English word from Middle English a maner of speche
Today it means
prep_phrase As it were; figuratively speaking; in a manner, in a way, in a certain respect.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Middle English a maner of speche / in a manner of speaking