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<P> This is to see if anyone can find an earlier use of <EM><STRONG>'to boot'</STRONG></EM> (meaning "to one's advantage or profit") than Shakespeare's uses in Richard III 5.3.301 (Riverside) (approx. 1592-1593) -- "This, and Saint George to boot!" // and II Henry 3.1.25...29 (Riverside) (approx. 1597-1598) -- "Canst thou, O partial sleep, give then repose...With all appliances and means <STRONG><EM>to boot</EM></STRONG>,/Deny it to a king?" <BR> William (and Mary) Morris [<EM>Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins</EM>] say that the original meaning of 'boot' in 'to boot' -- "advantage" or "proft" -- has become obsolete now, except in the phrase 'to boot.', but that it was "commonly" used in Milton's (1608-1674) time. I found it in studying Shakespeare, but couldn't find it used earlier than Milton (1608-1674). <BR> Shakespeare used it punnily in Richard III in recounting all his preparations and plans for the ensuing battle. As a last "advantage" King Richard added Saint George's presence as a finale to all his noted advantages. <BR> (Funnily, Riverside used the now-archaic meaning of the term 'quibble' in referring to a 'pun' (earlier notation). I quiver to see if this will be inscribbled into a general inquiry, or scribbled out-right by the lexicono-scribes for use in my query. </P>
<P>Sincerely, Scott Nelson</P>
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