365 Days in Aspen

With Bated Breath

I had my heart procedure today. This morning. So far, so good. Though I'm not counting any chickens. 

So let's say I'm waiting "with bated breath." 

As a fan of etymology, I looked up the source of the phrase. I may not be as knowledgeable about Shakespeare as I should be, but I did expect it came from him. 

The earliest known citation of the phrase is from Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice, 1596:

What should I say to you? Should I not say
'Hath a dog money? is it possible
A cur can lend three thousand ducats?' Or
Shall I bend low and in a bondman's key,
With bated breath and whispering humbleness, Say this;
'Fair sir, you spit on me on Wednesday last;
You spurn'd me such a day; another time
You call'd me dog; and for these courtesies
I'll lend you thus much moneys'?

 

And since I like adding visual quotes – I found this quote from a movie I found especially compelling from the movie "Lucy."

lucy-quote