释义 |
‖ sancta simplicitas, phr.|ˈsæŋktə sɪmˈplɪsɪtæs, ˈsæŋktə sɪmˈplɪkɪtɑːs| [L. ‘holy simplicity’.] An expression of astonishment at another's naïvety. Also used subst. These are said to have been the dying words of John Huss (1373–1415), Bohemian religious reformer and martyr, provoked by the sight of a simple peasant adding wood to the fire about his stake.
1847F. A. Kemble Let. Dec. in Rec. Later Life (1882) III. 278 Miss L—ingenuously replied, ‘Oh dear! that she'd never thought of that...’ Sancta Simplicitas! 1889G. B. Shaw in Star 13 July 4/4 She..thinks it would be too much to ask the public to listen to two sonatas. Sancta simplicitas! too much! 1894Beerbohm in Yellow Bk. Apr. 65 The day of sancta simplicitas is quite ended. 1936Times Lit. Suppl. 31 Oct. 870/1 Setting and character perfectly fused..the sancta simplicitas of the Reverend Micah Balwhidder. 1963L. Meynell Virgin Luck iv. 84 ‘Me? I've never had a bet in my life. I don't even know how to.’ ‘O Sancta simplicitas. I wish I didn't.’ 1980― Hooky & Prancing Horse xi. 187 ‘How on earth did you get in?’ ‘Sancta simplicitas..which means you are still wet behind the ears.’ |