darby and joan

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

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\\|därbēənˈjō(ə)n, -_jōˈan\ noun
Usage: usually capitalized D&J
Etymology: probably from Darby and Joan, stereotypical old married couple in a popular 18th century British song
: a happily married couple especially of advanced years

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a happily married elderly couple who lead a placid, uneventful life.
[named after a couple mentioned in an 18th-century song]

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Darby and Joan /därˈbi-ənd-jōnˈ/
noun
A devoted elderly married couple
ORIGIN: Poss from characters in an 18c song
• • •
Darby and Joan Club noun
A social club for elderly people

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Darby and Joan f12 [ˌdɑːbi ən ˈdʒəʊn] [ˌdɑːrbi ən ˈdʒoʊn] noun plural (BrE)
a way of referring to an old couple who are happily married
 
Word Origin:
[Darby and Joan] late 18th cent.: from a poem (1735) in the Gentleman's Magazine, which contained the lines “Old Darby, with Joan by his side … They're never happy asunder.”

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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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 — 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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