Cambridge is a hub of innovation and inspiration, but did you know it is also the likely birthplace of some of these popular words and sayings? 

 

Grey rectangle with the word Blazer in white in the middle. A red blazer is to the right

Originating from St John’s College, the sartorial term blazer referred to the red "blazers" of the Lady Margaret Boat Club (1825), the rowing club of St. John's College. Learn more with Cambridge Tour Guides.

 

A dark rectangle with Nosy Parker written in white. A drawing of a lilac face in profile

Referring to Matthew Parker who studied and became a Master of Corpus Christi College and Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University. Parker’s main task was to supervise the clergy. He enquired into every aspect of clerical affairs and interfered with the administration of the diocese. He became so tiresome to the clergy that he earned the nickname ‘Nosy Parker’. 

 

Dark grey rectangular milk with the words 'Hobson's Choice' in the middle & a picture of a light brown clipart horse with teal saddle & bridle to the right

A Hobson's Choice is a situation where it appears you have a free choice, but in reality, only one option is available - a 'take it or leave it' scenario. It is said to have originated from Cambridge stable livery owner Thomas Hobson (1544 - 1631) who offered customers only the horse nearest the door. His stable was located on land now owned by St Catharine's College, Cambridge.

 

Grey rectangle box with A penny saved is a penny earned written in white in the middle. To the right is a picture of a British penny, tail side showing

Though often attributed to Benjamin Franklin, this phrase dates back to the 17th Century. It first appeared in the book ‘Outlandish Proverbs’ by George Herbert,  who studied at Trinity College. The phrase is simply written ‘A penny spar’d is twice got’.  

Today’s phrasing using the word ‘gained’ has evolved over time and was recorded circa 1661 in Thomas Fuller’s ‘The History of Worthies of England’. Fuller studied at Queens' College and Sidney Sussex College at the tender age of 13 years. The full phrase reads: 

‘By the same proportion that a penny saved is a penny gained, the preserver of books is a Mate for the Compiler of them.’ 

 

dark grey rectangle with white writing in the middle saying An Englishman's home is his castle. To the right is a graphic of a medieval castle with red flag at the top

Judge Sir Edward Coke (pronounced Cook) is often considered the greatest legal expert of the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras. After studying at Trinity College and Inner Temple in the City of London, Coke wrote the first of his four volumes of ‘The Institutes of the Laws of England’ stating: 

'No one may enter a home, which would typically then have been in male ownership, unless by invitation…For a man's house is his castle, and each man's home is his safest refuge.' 

 

Dark grey rectangle with white writing saying Every cloud has a silver lining. To the right is a graphic of a white fluffly cloud

Christ’s College alumnus John Milton first coined the phrase ‘silver lining’ in his poem Comus in 1634:  

‘Was I deceived or did a sable cloud  

Turn forth her silver lining on the night?’ 

While Milton didn’t write the exact phrase, his poetic description of good versus evil has evolved to mean that every negative situation has a positive aspect. 

 

Grey rectangle with white writing saying A fool and his money are soon parted. To the right is a colourful graphic of a jester

This saying originated in a long rhyme by King’s College and Trinity Hall alumnus, Thomas Tussler. Published in 1573, ‘Five Hundred Pointes of Good Husbandrie’*, the work recorded the country year and this verse advised farmers to be ‘thine own purs bearer’: 

A foole & his money, 

be soone at debate: 

which after with sorow, 

repents him too late.

The modern version and the phrase we recognise today, appeared in Dr. John Bridges’ (Fellow, Pembroke Hall) 1587 work, ‘Defence of the Government of the Church of England’: 

‘If they pay a penie or two pence more for the reddinesse of them...let them looke to that, a foole and his money is soone parted.’ 

* Other popular phrases from the Tussler’s book include: 

  • Swéete April showers, 
    Doo spring Maie flowers. 

  • At Christmas play and make good cheere, 
    for Christmas comes but once a yeere. 

 

Grey rectangle with white writing saying It is better to have loved & lost than never to have loved at all. To the right is a graphic of a lilac heart

Alfred, Lord Tennyson who studied at Trinity College and was Poet Laureate to Queen Victoria wrote this phrase in his poem, ‘In Memoriam A. H. H’. Written over three years, the poem describes the grief Tennyson felt after the death of his closest friend, Arthur Henry Hallum in 1833. The phrase appears within the first year of Arthur’s death. 

I hold it true, whate'er befall; 

I feel it, when I sorrow most; 

'Tis better to have loved and lost 

Than never to have loved at all. 

 

grey rectangle with white writing Knowledge is power. To the right is a white pencil outline of a person's head on profile showing the brain

Francis Bacon, a philosopher and scientist who attended Trinity College wrote the phrase ‘Ipsa scientia potestas est (knowledge itself is power)’ in his book ‘Meditationes Sacrae’. The saying emphasises the value of knowledge in achieving influence and success.  

 

Dark grey rectangle with white writing saying The pen is mightier than the sword. To the right is a graphic of a white quill with a squiggly white line behind the nib end

Edward Bulwer-Lytton (Trinity College, Cambridge) novelist and playwright, first wrote these words in his historical play ‘Cardinal Richelieu’ in 1839. In the play, Richelieu discovers a plot to kill King Louis XIII and despite not being permitted to fight, Richelieu’s young attendant points out:  

But now, at your command are other weapons, my good Lord. 

Richelieu agrees: 

The pen is mightier than the sword... Take away the sword; States can be saved without it! 

Today, the phrase highlights the power of writing and ideas over violence and force. 

 

Dark grey rectangle with white writing saying Courage calls to courage everywhere. To the right is a lilac graphic of a fist held high

Suffragette and co-founder of Newnham College, Dame Millicent Garret Fawcett was a political activist and writer. After the death of her friend Emily Davison at the 1913 Epsom Derby, Garrett Fawcett was inspired by Emily’s courage to be braver herself. In a speech given in 1920, she referenced her friend’s fortitude, declaring: 

'Courage calls to courage everywhere, and its voice cannot be denied.' 

The phrase underscores the idea that collective bravery is a power in driving change. 

 

Dark grey rectangle with white writing saying Remember to look up at the stars & not down at your feet

Professor Stephen Hawking (Trinity Hall) was a theoretical physicist, cosmologist and author. At a celebration of his 70th birthday, Hawking advised:  

'Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don’t just give up.' 

 

Dark grey rectangle with white writing saying Doggy bag. To the right is a graphic of an orange paper bag with the top rolled down

This is an East Anglian word that refers to lunch. It comes from farm labourers who used to have their pay docked when they took a lunch break, hence ‘dockey’. The term ‘dockey bag’ referred to the lunch bags carried by workers which is believed to have inspired the modern term ‘doggy bag'.