| 单词 | the tune the cow died of |
| 释义 | > as lemmasthe tune the (old) cow died of e. the tune the (old) cow died of: humorously applied to a grotesque or unmusical succession of sounds, or a tedious ill-played piece of music. Also the tune the cat died of.Supposed to refer to an ‘old ballad’ in which a piper who had nothing else to give his cow ‘took his pipe and played a tune, and bade the cow consider’. See Notes & Queries 11th Ser. XI. 309. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > music > piece of music > type of piece > [noun] > ill-played piece the tune the (old) cow died of1820 the tune the cat died of1943 1820 M. Wilmot Let. 4 May (1935) 60 I am made laugh heartily three times a week..when they cut capers in the air with solemn faces, to the tune which the old Cow died of. 1836 Countess Granville Lett. (1894) II. 218 The tune the old cow died of throughout, grunts and groans of instruments. 1943 H. C. Bailey Mr. Fortune finds Pig xxxvi. 140 What are they singing?.. It sounds like the tune the cat died of. < as lemmas |
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