no rest for the wicked

English

Etymology

From the Book of Isaiah verses 48:22 and 57:20-21, originally Hebrew. First attested in English in 1535, in Coverdale Bible of Miles Coverdale.[1] Quoted in biblical sense for centuries, humorous secular sense popularized from 1930s, particularly due to use as title of popular Little Orphan Annie strip by Harold Gray in 1933.[1] According to rabbinical tradition, the word “wicked” refers only to king Nebuchadnezzar II and his descendants.[2]

Proverb

no rest for the wicked

  1. (literally) Eternal torment in hell awaits sinners.
  2. (humorous) People who are wicked must work harder than normal people.

Usage notes
  • Primarily used today for mild comic effect,[1] meaning "one must work (particularly because one has been lax)", as in Annie usage.

Translations

See also

References
  1. Gary Martin (1997–) “No rest for the wicked”, in The Phrase Finder, retrieved 26 February 2017.
  2. Rashi on Isaiah 48:22:1
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