Darby and Joan

Darby and Joan
   1. an elderly married couple living together
   They were the characters in Woodfall's 18thcentury ballad, who grew old together. Rarely seen as a verb:
    Darby and Joaning it into the sunset. (Bogarde, 1981)
   2. obsolete British
   a pair of male homosexuals
   Army use in the days when a posting to India lasted for five or seven years:
    The attitude of other soldiers towards the 'Darby and Joans' of the regiment was generally good-natured. (C. Allen, 1975)

How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms. . 2014.

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  • Darby and Joan — [ˌda:bi ən ˈdʒəun US ˌda:rbi ən ˈdʒoun] n BrE [Date: 1700 1800; Origin: The names of a happy long married couple in an 18th century poem] like Darby and Joan used humorously when talking about an old husband and wife who live very happily… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Darby and Joan — 1735, characteristic name of an old, happily married couple …   Etymology dictionary

  • Darby and Joan — ► NOUN Brit. ▪ a devoted old married couple. ORIGIN from a poem (1735) in the Gentleman s Magazine …   English terms dictionary

  • Darby and Joan — [där′bē ənd jō an′, jōn′] n. [< an 18th c. song] an old married couple much devoted to each other …   English World dictionary

  • Darby and Joan — For films of this title, see Darby and Joan (film). Darby and Joan is a proverbial phrase for a married couple content to live a quiet shared life. Contents 1 Usage 2 Appearances as a poetic conceit 3 Appearances in popular music …   Wikipedia

  • darby and joan — n. a devoted old married couple. Phrases and idioms: Darby and Joan club Brit. a club for people over 60. Etymology: 18th c.: perh. f. a poem of 1735 in the Gentleman s Magazine * * * |därbēənˈjō(ə)n, jōˈan noun Usage: usually capitalized D&J… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Darby and Joan — noun be like Darby and Joan BrE humorous used when talking about an old husband and wife who live very happily together …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • Darby and Joan clubs — ➡ Darby and Joan * * * …   Universalium

  • Darby and Joan (film) — Darby and Joan may refer to: Darby and Joan (1912 film), an American film Darby and Joan (1919 film), a British film starring Meggie Albanesi Darby and Joan (1937 film), a British film starring Tod Slaughter This disambiguation page lists… …   Wikipedia

  • Darby and Joan (1919 film) — Darby and Joan is a 1919 British drama film directed by Percy Nash and starring Ivy Close, Meggie Albanesi and George Wynn.[1] It was based on a story by Hall Caine and set on the Isle of Man. Cast Ivy Close Sheila Moore George Wynn Reginald… …   Wikipedia

  • Darby and Joan (1937 film) — Darby and Joan is a 1937 British drama film directed by Syd Courtenay and starring Peggy Simpson, Ian Fleming, Tod Slaughter and Mickey Brantford.[1] Cast Peggy Simpson Joan Templeton Ian Fleming Sir Ralph Ferris Mickey Brantford Yorke Ferris Tod …   Wikipedia

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