It beggars belief
 

I've used this phrase a lot this weekend - as has everyone that I've told a particular story to about some work done! I won't go into the details about the work but needless to say, it beggars belief!!!!

Anyway, it got me thinking, what does that phrase really mean? I understand it on one level but why 'beggars' belief?

Anyone know?

Re: It beggars belief
 

Here seems to be the answer
Etymology (Meaning of Words): question followups

Re: It beggars belief
 

I use it often and I presumed it meant the story was begging for believability... really really hard to believe...seems simple to me but then again that wont mean much :)

Re: It beggars belief
 

I believe it's a corruption of the phrase "It begs our belief" - meaning it's not really credible.

May 19 04, 12:04 PM
Stew54

In rather old fashioned usage "beggar" is also a verb (to beggar someone being to reduce them to the status of a beggar). It could be that the phrase "beggars belief" means that something is so incredible it exhausts our capacity for belief.

Taken from:
http://www.funtrivia.com/askft/Question47598.html

Re: It beggars belief
 

I've always thought of it meaning it defies belief, or I can't believe that, but where it comes from I ain't a clue, I only know my Mother and Grandmother used it a lot when I was young usually aimed at me for one reason or another:D

Re: It beggars belief
 

Ha! Nice one, Gayle.:D

It beggars belief..............I say it loads too.

I think Margaret R has got it right with the meaning......to reduce to the status of a beggar, to make belief impossible.

Re: It beggars belief
 

Errm now I wonder what brought this on? :rolleyes::D:D:D

Other phrases you could look into

"As thick as two short planks" is quite apt :D:D

"If you pay peanuts" :D

"While the cat is away the mice will play" may fit as well :rolleyes:

I liked this one the best