What do people mean when they say someone or something is deader than a doornail? Does it mean they are stiff, unalive, or simply boring? Dead as a doornail has an uncertain but fascinating origin. Let’s discover what it means and when you should use it.
Dead as a Doornail
Dead as a doornail is a common expression used to talk about something unequivocally dead. It’s considered a figure of speech that strengthens the idea that someone or something is unalive or dull.
What Does Dead as a Doornail Mean?
The phrase “dead as a doornail” is often used to describe something completely inactive, dead, or no longer functioning. The phrase likely comes from the fact that doornails are subject to a lot of wear and tear and are often hammered into place, making them difficult to remove.
Once a doornail has been used, it is often discarded, as it is no longer useful. In this way, the phrase “dead as a doornail” can describe something that is no longer useful or effective.
Where Does the Term Dead as a Doornail Come From?
The expression “dead as a doornail” can be traced back to the 1300s and can be found in poems written during that period. William Shakespeare first used the phrase “dead as a doornail” in the 14th Century, and Charles Dickens included it in his book “A Christmas Carol” in 1843.
Dead as a Doornail Meaning
It is believed that the ancient expression “dead as a doornail” had its start in squeezing doornails that had been hammered into a door to keep them in place.
Clinching is a technique that can be used to create a dead doornail. It requires hammering the studded nail on the wood and smoothing the edge over the interior. Therefore, there is no way to reuse the nail after it has been destroyed in this manner. Before screws were introduced, carpenters would apply this procedure to doornails to make them more durable.
A special kind of nail is used in doors called a doornail. Instead, it is a huge nail with studs attached to a door from the Middle Ages and cannot be removed or reused. Its age and magnitude render it unsuitable for use in proverbs.
In those days, nails were extremely expensive because they were hand-made and scarce. Those who could not purchase nails had to find alternative uses.
Some say it also stems from as far back as the 16th Century with the use of coffin nails used to seal the door or lid shut.
There is also the possibility that the expression originated from knocking on a large doornail. The pricey metal nails were strategically put there to amplify the sound of the knocking.
Is the Saying Dead as a Doornail or Dead as a Doorknob?
While you may hear some people use the expression “dead as a doorknob,” the doornail version is the most popular one of the two. While they both mean the same thing, dead as a doorknob isn’t that commonly used.
The phrase “dead as a doornail” often describes something that is no longer functioning. But, it can also be used to describe something that is extremely dull or uninteresting. In either case, the phrase emphasizes that the subject is no longer alive or active.
Whatever its origins, the phrase “dead as a doornail” is now a common English expression that can be used in various situations.
Note: In English, people also use the expression “deaf as a doornail.”
The expression “deaf as a doornail” is often used to describe someone who cannot hear. However, this expression can be misleading, as many who are deaf can hear some sounds.
Additionally, the expression does not consider the different types of deafness. For example, a person who’s hard of hearing may be able to hear soft sounds, while someone who is deaf may only be able to feel vibrations.
Examples and Sentences Using Dead as a Doornail
These examples show how to use “dead as a doornail” in sentences:
- The coroner confirmed the victim was dead as a doornail.
- Sarah told her team they should abandon the project because it was dead as a doornail.
- The client hasn’t responded to our emails in a while. The deal is dead as a doornail.
The Final Words
The phrase “dead as a doornail” describes something that doesn’t function anymore. The expression can be traced back to the 1300s and has been used by William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens.
It is believed that the expression “dead as a doornail” came from squeezing doornails that had been hammered into a door to keep them in place. While you may hear some people use the expression “dead as a doorknob,” the doornail version is the most popular of the two.