Over the hill

[Moonhead]

I know it means to be old, but where and when does it come from? Ta. :)

[Quizmonster]

Strangely enough, the earliest-recorded version of this saying dates back only to 1950! It's easy to see how one can picture life as a hill, as one is born, 'climbs' upwards to the peak of life and then - after passing that - starts the downhill passage towards the end. (Being 66, I'm rather sorry I even started to answer this!)

[woofgang]

Quizzy, in the poem "Jon Anderson my jo" isnt there a mtaphor about climbing the hill together?...yup, just pulled out my Golden Treasury. the second verse goes "John Anderson, my jo, John/ We clamb the hill together/ and mony a canty day, John,/We had wi'ane anither,/ Now we maun totter down, John;/But hand in hand we'll go,/And sleep thegither at the foot,/John Anderson, myjo! ( have I scored on you Quizzy?? :-))

[woofgang]

see, I was all excited, my typing went to pot!!

[Tefler]

Dear Woofgang, my 1950s date was in reference to the specific three-word phrase "over the hill", which is what the question was about. As I went on: "It is easy to see how one can picture life as a hill", which is presisely what Burns did in the poem you quote.

But - what the hey! - it was worthwhile your drawing attention to the general idea. Cheers

[Quizmonster]

Oh, no! Yet again my partner - Tefler - has failed to sign out after using AnswerBank. Harsh words will have to be said when she gets home from work, I'm afraid. Whatever name appears under this response, take it from me that both this and the reply above are from me...Quizmonster!

[woofgang]

Both erudite and courteous, that's why Quizzy is an ornament to this site...

[Moonhead]

QM gets lots and lots of stars because he looks like David Jason in a Touch of Frost(in my eyes)and is a lovely lovely helpful person. ****************************************

[Quizmonster]

I'm not sure about the David Jason idea, but I do like the 'lovely, lovely ornament' bits!

Seriously, you're much too kind to me. Thank you.