land of Nod

American  

[nod] / nɒd /

noun

1. the mythical land of sleep.

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land of Nod British  

noun

1. Old Testament a region to the east of Eden to which Cain went after he had killed Abel (Genesis 4:14)

2. an imaginary land of sleep

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land of Nod Cultural  

1. To “go off to the land of Nod,” or to “nod off,” is to go to sleep: “What a boring speech! Half the listeners are on their way to the land of Nod.”

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Etymology

Origin of land of Nod

First recorded in 1725–35; a pun on Land of Nod (Genesis 4:16); see nod

Example Sentences

Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod .

From Time Magazine Archive

Ever dream of a few more hours each night in the land of Nod?

From Time Magazine Archive

And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden.’

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

“Very odd,” he muttered, “Alf didn’t use to—to—w’at’s ’is name in—this—way—” The Captain’s head dropped, his elbow relaxed, and he returned to the land of Nod for another half-hour.

From The Giant of the North Pokings Round the Pole by Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)

He managed to keep awake longer as time went on, and it took "The Ancient Mariner," or the solemn and somnolent-burdened rhyme of the "Duchess May" to send him to the land of Nod.

From The Open Question a tale of two temperaments by Robins, Elizabeth