Common or garden

[LeedsRhinos]

Where does the phrase Common or garden come from?

[Quizmonster]

The earliest recorded use of the phrase dates back to the 1650s, appearing in a book called 'Adam in Eden'. The relevant sentence reads: "But the common or garden nightshade is not dangerous." Thus, the phrase was initially one about plants/gardening, whereas we now use it in all sorts of circumstances to indicate that the thing being spoken of is in no way out of the ordinary.

[Bravo Girl]

Nothing to do with the correct answer but my mother used to say "communal garden" so I grew up thinking it was something to do with public parks!

[Bravo Girl]

I know it's been done before, but who else has misunderstood everyone else - I'm off to ask this question now in the Chatterbank, OK ?