box his corner

[lidiavianu]

aht is the jmeaning of

'he must learn to box his corner'?

[Quizmonster]

'Corner' has meant 'share' since the middle of the 19th century. Thus, 'to stand one's corner' means to do one's share of whatever task is in hand. Of course, one's 'corner' in boxing is the part of the ring a fighter retires to between rounds.
'Boxing one's corner', I'd say, just means much the same as 'standing one's corner'. So, a newcomer to a work-place, for example, has to learn what is expected of him and ensure he does it satisfactorily, just as a boxer has to learn how to grasp the layout of the boxing-ring and act appropriately wherever he is in it.

[lidiavianu]

The phrase comes from Joyce (so it's around 1918) and is followed by an explanation as 'take exercise'. Could it just mean 'move around'? Here is its context:

"That's my principle, too," said my uncle. "Let him learn to box his corner. That's what I'm always saying to that Rosicrucian there: take exercise. Why, when I was a nipper every morning of my life I had a cold bath, winter and summer. And that's what stands to me now. Education is all very fine and large.... Mr. Cotter might take a pick of that leg mutton," he added to my aunt.

Thanks a lot.

[Quizmonster]

I still think it just means, "Do what is required of you." In the Joyce piece you quote, the speaker points out that what he had to do as a child was take cold baths - and no doubt other such toughening measures - in order to become the person he now is. The Rosicrucian he refers to, by the same token, should be exercising more. In both cases, the measures were/are deemed necessary. To achieve some end, people involved have to "box their corner".

[lidiavianu]

Thank you! Now it works out in translation at last.
Can I ask you again at some point?
I am teaching contemporary British literature in Romania, and translating some of it.
Thanks again!

[Quizmonster]

I'll certainly try to help with any further questions you may have, Lidia.

[Armazd]

In Joyce's writing "let him learn to box hos corner." is an Irish cliche, meaning " let him go out to make a living and get ahead in the world." It's mostly used in spoken rather than written froms.