manner born

manner born
This expression has come to mean "accustomed by birth to a high position." In this expression, manner is frequently spelled manor, through the mistaken idea that "manor born" means "born to high estate, to the aristocracy." The word should be manner, meaning "custom," "habitual practice." One should have no trouble with the expression if he will recall the Shakespearean passage in which it originated. In Hamlet, Horatio asks about the sound of trumpets, guns, and drums. Hamlet tells him that each time the King (Claudius) takes a drink, the act is followed by this outburst. When asked if this uproar is a custom, Hamlet replies: "Ay, marry, it is; / But to my mind, though I am native here/ And to the manner born, it is a custom/ More honored in the breach than the observance."

Dictionary of problem words and expressions. . 1975.

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  • to the manner born — phrasal 1. obsolete : born to follow or obey a certain practice or custom 2. : fitted by birth, rearing, or long training or experience to occupy some post or position was to the manner born in the court circles of Versailles C.G.Bowers * * * to… …   Useful english dictionary

  • as to the manner born — (as) to the manner born slightly formal if you behave to the manner born, you behave confidently, as if a particular situation is usual and familiar for you. Although he never lost his lower class accent, he lived the life of a rich and… …   New idioms dictionary

  • to the manner born — (as) to the manner born slightly formal if you behave to the manner born, you behave confidently, as if a particular situation is usual and familiar for you. Although he never lost his lower class accent, he lived the life of a rich and… …   New idioms dictionary

  • (as) to the manner born — phrase as if a particular activity or style of living is completely natural for you She took to her new life as to the manner born. Thesaurus: words used to describe ways of livinghyponym Main entry: manner …   Useful english dictionary

  • (as if) to the manner born — (as/as if) to the manner ˈborn idiom (formal) as if sth is natural for you and you have done it many times in the past • She adapted to life on the estate as if to the manner born. Main entry: ↑manneridiom …   Useful english dictionary

  • to the manner born — ► to the manner born naturally at ease in a specified job or situation. [ORIGIN: with allusion to Shakespeare s Hamlet I. iv. 17.] Main Entry: ↑manner …   English terms dictionary

  • to the manner born — {adj. phr.} At ease with something because of lifelong familiarity with it. * /She says her English is the best because she is to the manner born./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • to the manner born — {adj. phr.} At ease with something because of lifelong familiarity with it. * /She says her English is the best because she is to the manner born./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • to the manner born — adjective Familiar from birth with a specified custom, behaviour, accoutrement etc.; naturally suited to (it). This [...] involved not only wearing certain clothes as if to the manner born, but being familiar with the gestures and the style of… …   Wiktionary

  • to\ the\ manner\ born — adj. phr. At ease with something because of lifelong familiarity with it. She says her English is the best because she is to the manner born …   Словарь американских идиом

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