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between two stools

phrase

Etymology

From an old proverb, "Between two stools, one falls to the ground", which dates from 1390. This, in turn, is most likely a translation of the medieval Latin proverb labitur enitens sellis herere duabus ("he falls trying to sit on two seats").

Definitions

  1. Not fitting neatly into either of two categories or positions.

    • Accusing the opposition of attempting to "sit between two stools," he further explained: We will unite with no party, as a party -- and with individuals of all parties, if we believe them to be sincerely the friends of the people.
    • Sleep, however, was my only refreshment: I was as it were between two stools; one of my friends did not think it necessary, and the other never intended, to send me any supper.

  2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically

    Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see between, two, stool.

The neighborhood

Vish — recursive loop

No curated loop yet for between two stools. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA