four score and seven years ago en · ADV
Pronunciation
- /ˈfɔː skɔː‿ɹən ˌsɛvən jɪəz əˌɡəʊ/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- /ˈfɔɹ skɔɹ ən ˌsɛvən jɪɹz əˌɡoʊ/ (General-American)
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
Literally, “87 years ago” (score sense: “group of 20”) the beginning of the Gettysburg Address made on November 19, 1863, by United States President Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865). The widespread familiarity of Lincoln’s address, the unusual and poetic wording, and its status as the first words of the speech have caused the phrase to enter the public consciousness.
Meanings
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(humorous, idiomatic, not-comparable, often) Used (sometimes sarcastically) to indicate that a past event being mentioned is particularly important: a long time ago; many years ago.
I imagined momentarily that it was four score and seven years ago, that I had just been brought forth from my mother […]
2010 December 23, Phillip Roth, “Prologue”, in The Great American Novel, →ISBN, page 21:Four score and seven years ago, I began writing an annual letter to be enclosed in my Christmas cards.
2012 February 20, Vicky DeCoster, “The Letter”, in The Wacky World of Womanhood, →ISBN, page 93:It was established four score and seven years ago, and since that time its activities have been intertwined with the internal development of the Nation itself.
1936 April 16, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Address at the Dedication of the New Department of the Interior Building:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| four score seven years ago | alternative | lexicographic | |
| fourscore and seven years ago | alternative | lexicographic |