Common Catch Phrases #3

Neither Rhyme Nor Reason

The hardest condemnation, however polite, of another's work is to say it has "neither rhyme nor reason." The odd thing about this phrase is that, when it was originated by Edmund Spencer, he was seeking payment for some poems he had composed for Queen Elizabeth. By his use of "nor rhyme nor reason," he obtained money long due to him from the stingy monarch. When he presented the poems to the Queen, she issued an order to pay him a specific sum. When Lord Treasurer Burleigh saw the order, he fumed, "What? All this for a song?" The queen replied, "Then give him what is reason." Spencer waited. After receiving no money, and with the queen still retaining his poems, he wrote her:

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I was promised on a time,

To have reason for my rhyme,

For that time unto this season,

I received nor rhyme nor reason.

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After receiving the poem, the queen commanded the practical lord treasurer to pay Spencer the original amount she had promised. Spencer received his money, and the world acquired "neither rhyme nor reason."

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REFERENCES: The above description is paraphrased from the book "Common Phrases and Where They Come From", Myron Korach & John B. Mordock, 2001, The Lyons Press.