http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/58450.html Beast with two backs
Meaning
Partners engaged in sexual intercourse.
Origin
This modern sounding phrase is in fact at least as early as Shakespeare. From Othello. Iago: 'I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs'.
"En son eage virile espousa Gargamelle fille du roy des Parpaillos, belle gouge et de bonne troigne. Et faisoient eulx deux souvent ensemble la beste à deux douz, ioieusement se frotans leur lard, tant qu'elle engroissa d'un beau filz, et le porta iusques à l'unziesme mois. Car autant, voire d'adventage, peuvent les femmes ventre porter, mesmement quand c'est quelque chef d'oeuvre, & personnage qui doive en son temps faires grandes prouesses." (La Vie Inestimable du Grand Gargantua, Pere de Pantagruel Chapitre iii)
Othello, First Quarto was published in 1622.
The first part of Rabelais's Gargantua was published in 1532.
no subject
Date: 2006-03-24 03:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-03-24 03:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-03-24 03:02 pm (UTC)Beast with two backs
Meaning
Partners engaged in sexual intercourse.
Origin
This modern sounding phrase is in fact at least as early as Shakespeare. From Othello. Iago: 'I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs'.
no subject
Date: 2006-03-24 03:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-03-24 03:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-03-24 04:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-03-24 05:56 pm (UTC)It may be 90 years earlier.
Date: 2006-03-24 10:13 pm (UTC)(La Vie Inestimable du Grand Gargantua, Pere de Pantagruel Chapitre iii)
Othello, First Quarto was published in 1622.
The first part of Rabelais's Gargantua was published in 1532.