fetch and carry
verbEtymology
From fetch + and + carry, originally a reference to a trained dog fetching and conveying an object back to its master: see, for example, William Shakespeare’s play The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Act III, scene i (spelling modernized): “She hath more qualities than a water-spaniel, […] She can fetch and carry: why a horse can do no more; nay, a horse cannot fetch, but only carry, therefore is she better than a jade.”
Definitions
To serve obsequiously.
- A nephew of hers, after receiving some learning at her ladyship's expence, got a commission, and fell upon the field of Waterloo; another is still at her heels, as a sort of jackall to fetch and carry when required.
To carry gossip, news, etc., from one person to another
To carry gossip, news, etc., from one person to another; to bear tales, to gossip.
- And as Miſs is ſo fond of fetching and carrying, you may tell her we are to have a private play among ourſelves, as the quality have: the Diſtruſtful Mother, 'tis call'd— […]
- This young woman had an own cousin lived servant with her father, he was counsel keeper on both sides, and often fetched and carried.
To carry or convey (gossip, news, etc.) from one person to another
To carry or convey (gossip, news, etc.) from one person to another; to bear (tales).
- Of all this Servile Herd the worſt is He / That in proud Dulneſs joins with Quality, / A conſtant Critick at the Great-man's Board, / To fetch and carry Nonſenſe for my Lord.
- I ne'r vvith VVits and VVitlings paſt my days, / To ſpread about the Itch of Verſe and Praiſe, / Nor like a Puppy daggled thro' the Tovvn, / To fetch and carry Sing-ſong up and dovvn; […]
The neighborhood
- neighborwait on someone hand and foot
Derived
Vish — recursive loop
No curated loop yet for fetch and carry. 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