wanttaja@ssc-vax.UUCP (Ronald J Wanttaja) (01/11/86)
Finally got real curious about the STtWOK/Young Sherlock Holmes discussion about "Revenge is a dish best served cold," so I checked it out: From the _Concise_Oxford_Dictionary_of_Proverbs_: > REVENGE IS A DISH THAT CAN BE EATEN COLD > > 1885 C. Lowe _Prince_Bismarck_I_. "He had defended Olmutz, it is true, > but... with a secret resolution to 'eat the dish of his revenge cold > instead of hot.'" > 1975 O'FAOLAIN _Women_in_Wall_. "Revenge... is a meal that's as tasty > cold as hot. Tastier cold sometimes." > Anyway, it is apparent that the quote from the two movies has been around, in one form or another, during the periods depicted. I realize YSH was set earlier from 1885, but from the quote it is obvious that Lowe was using an existing proverb even then. So, the saying could have been used by a "Young Sherlock Holmes." As for it being a Klingon proverb, well... it could have been "parallel evolution," or they could have stolen it early in the days of Federation/Klingon contact. Or.... has anyone waded through _Moby_Dick_ lately? Half of Khan's lines were lifted from there. Maybe it was used in Melville? Ron (But I haven't finished studying my predators yet) Wanttaja (ssc-vax!wanttaja)