English Idioms

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Uncle Tom Cobley and all

Meaning

The idiom "uncle Tom Cobley and all" is used to refer to a group of people who are related or connected, often in a close-knit way. It can also be used to describe a collection of items or objects that are together. The phrase originated from the popular English folk song "Uncle Tom Cobley and All."

Usage

  • The family reunion was like a big party with all the cousins, aunts, and uncles in attendance.
  • I forgot to bring my umbrella, but it's okay, I have an extra one from Uncle Tom Cobley and all.
  • She packed her suitcase with all her books, clothes, and accessories for the trip.
  • We decided to take a walk around the park and saw Uncle Tom Cobley and all playing frisbee.
  • I can't believe how lucky we are to have found such a great group of friends in this town. The usage of "uncle Tom Cobley and all" can vary depending on the context. It can be used to describe a group of people or items that are related or connected, or it can be used to refer to a specific collection of things. For example, if you're referring to a group of people who are attending a family reunion, you might use "Uncle Tom Cobley and all" to emphasize the size and closeness of the group. On the other hand, if you're talking about a collection of items that you need to pack for a trip, you might simply say "I have everything I need from Uncle Tom Cobley and all."

Roots and History

The phrase "Uncle Tom Cobley and all" is believed to have originated from the popular English folk song "Uncle Tom Cobley and All," which was first published in 1763. The lyrics of the song describe a group of friends who set out on a journey to visit their friend Uncle Tom Cobley, along with his wife, daughter, and a dog named Flitterfly. Over time, the phrase has come to be used more broadly to refer to any group of people or items that are together.

Synonyms in English

  • The gang
  • The crew
  • The posse
  • The bunch
  • The lot

Synonyms in other languages

  • La famille (French) - This translates to "the family" and is a common way of referring to a group of people who are related.
  • Die Freunde (German) - This translates to "the friends" and can be used to describe a group of people who are close or connected.
  • Il gruppo (Italian) - This translates to "the group" and is a common way of referring to any collection of people or items that are together.
  • La gang (Spanish) - This translates to "the gang" and can be used to describe a group of people who are friends or associates.
  • เพื่อนๆ (Thai) - This translates to "friends" and is commonly used to refer to a close-knit group of people.

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