four score and seven years ago

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four score and seven years ago

As an opener, a sometimes sarcastic indicator to indicate a past event being mentioned is particularly important.

Etymology:

In Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, he used this widely known measure of "score," meaning "20 years." In modern language, it would be simply "87 years ago." However, the widespread familiarity of Lincoln's address, the unusual and poetic wording, and its status as the first words of the speech have caused the phrase to enter the public consciousness.

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Submitted on September 01, 2009

Additional definitions for 'four score and seven years ago':

four score and seven years ago	87 years prior to today.

four score and seven years ago

87 years prior to today.

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Translation

Find a translation for the four score and seven years ago phrase in other languages:

أربع نقاط وقبل سبع سنوات

vor vier Punkten und sieben Jahren

kvar poentaro kaj antaŭ sep jaroj

cuatro puntaje y hace siete años

il y a quatre points et sept ans

négy és hét évvel ezelőtt

quattro punti e sette anni fa

ארבע ציונים ולפני שבע שנים

fyra poäng och för sju år sedan

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to four score and seven years ago

four-leaf clover forever and a day fine, thanks, and you?forgive and forget full of piss and vinegar for real and for true four poster free and easy fits and starts Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse foot and mouth four-leaf clover four-eyes four-leaf clover

How to pronounce this phrase?

Alex
US English
David
US English
Mark
US English
Daniel
British
Libby
British
Mia
British
Karen
Australian
Hayley
Australian
Natasha
Australian
Veena
Indian
Priya
Indian
Neerja
Indian
Zira
US English
Oliver
British
Wendy
British
Fred
US English
Tessa
South African

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"four score and seven years ago." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Dec. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/four-score-and-seven-years-ago_3743>.

four score and seven years ago

Etymology:

Additional definitions for 'four score and seven years ago':

Translation

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to four score and seven years ago

How to pronounce this phrase?

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