Everett True Comics

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A place to appreciate the twentieth century comic character Everett True of "The Outbursts of Everett True." Feel free to check out the sticky.

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I shan't ask you twice, madame! (February 25, 1906) (midwest.social)

submitted 3 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] [email protected] 23 points 3 months ago (2 children)

Pronounced like leaf. Apparently it basically means "gladly". Seems to have died out in the early 20th century.

lief
/lēf/

adverb
Readily; willingly.
"I would as lief go now as later."

Gladly; willingly; freely; -- now used only in the phrases, had as lief, and would as lief.
"I had, or would, as lief go as not"

[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I imagine it's related to relief. Interesting. That's a relief = that makes me glad again.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 months ago (1 children)

It sounds a lot like the dutch "net zo lief" which translates to "just as lovely" and we still use it today in this context.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 months ago

i learned! Thanks!!

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 months ago

I've read it in older books with even older characters, but I've not once heard it said! Thank you.