softly, softly, catchee monkey
- softly, softly, catchee monkey
1907 G. BENHAM Cassell’s Book of Quotations 849 (Proverbs) ‘Softly, softly,’ caught the monkey—(Negro).
1939 H. C. BAILEY Veron Mystery xx. ‘Softly talkee, catchee monkey,’ Hopley summed up the method thus prescribed to him.
1941 F. VIVIAN Death of Mr. Lomas iv. 80 ‘Managed to dig out a suitable motive for Steadfall?’ the Chief Constable asked slyly. ‘I haven’t done with him yet,’ came the slow reply. ‘Softly, softly, catchee monkee...’
1978 E. ST. JOHNSTON One Policeman’s Story vii. They took with them the unique motto of the Lancashire Constabulary Training School, ‘Softly, Softly, Catchee Monkey’ which inspired the new programme’s title, ‘Softly, Softly’.
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Softly, Softly (TV series) — infobox television show name = Softly, Softly caption = Softly, Softly opening titles, 1967. format = Police procedural runtime = 50 minutes creator = Troy Kennedy Martin starring = Stratford Johns Frank Windsor country = UK network = BBC first… … Wikipedia
softly — /ˈsɒftli/ (say softlee) adverb 1. in a soft manner. –phrase 2. softly softly, quietly and inconspicuously to achieve a goal. {Phrase Origin: from the catchphrase softly, softly catchee monkey, a mock pidgin saying of unknown origin} 3. tread… …
monkey — see the higher the monkey climbs the more he shows his tail if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys softly, softly, catchee monkey … Proverbs new dictionary
softly — see softly, softly, catchee monkey fair and softly goes far in a day speak softly and carry a big stick … Proverbs new dictionary
Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs, Thematic Index — absence absence makes the heart grow fonder he who is absent is always in the wrong the best of friends must part blue are the hills that are far away distance lends enchantment to the view out of sight, out of mind … Proverbs new dictionary
