simon-pure
[sahy-muh n-pyoo r]
- real; genuine: a simon-pure accent.
Show More
Origin of simon-pure
1710–20; short for the real Simon Pure, alluding to the victim of impersonation in Susanna Centlivre's play A Bold Stroke for a Wife (1718)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for simon-pure
Historical Examples
The simon-pure cowpuncher would not accept a self-cocker as a gift.
Roosevelt in the Bad LandsH. Hagedorn.
The solo is Massenet, simon-pure Massenet, the idol of the Paris midinette.
The Merry-Go-RoundCarl Van Vechten
To use a philosophical term, the paranoiac is the Simon-pure "solipsist."
The Behavior of CrowdsEverett Dean Martin
He looked the very picture and pattern of a Simon-Pure salt.
Manuel PereiraF. C. Adams
He has a cupboard love for Sarah, but I think that his affection for me is simon-pure.
Mavis of Green HillFaith Baldwin
simon-pure
- real; genuine; authentic
Show More
Word Origin
C19: from the phrase the real Simon Pure, name of a character in the play A Bold Stroke for a Wife (1717) by Susannah Centlivre (1669–1723) who is impersonated by another character in some scenes
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for simon-pure
adj.
1815, from the true Simon Pure "the genuine person or thing" (1795), from Simon Pure, name of a Quaker who is impersonated by another character (Colonel Feignwell) in part of the comedy "A Bold Stroke for a Wife" (1717) by Susannah Centlivre, English dramatist and actress. The real Simon Pure is dealt with as an imposter in the play and is believed only after he has proved his identity.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper