"real life" 1930

[Jonathan Lighter]

OED doesn't cover this now familiar, semi-jocular synonym for "one's ordinary life, as distinct from some temporary interruption such as military service."

  1930 C. R. Benstead _Retreat: A Novel of 1918_ (N.Y.: Century) 24: My servant's looking after him pro tem. Bell. You'll find him a good 'un. A laird or something in real life.

  JL


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