the gaiety of nations

the gaiety of nations

The enjoyment and amusement of people around the world. The venerated actor has not only added to the gaiety of nations with his performances, but also been a key figure in raising money and awareness for some of the most important charities around the world.
See also: nation, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

the gaiety of nations

general cheerfulness or amusement. British
In The Lives of the English Poets, Samuel Johnson wrote about the death of the great actor David Garrick ( 1717–79 ), remarking that it ‘has eclipsed the gaiety of nations and impoverished the public stock of harmless pleasure’.
See also: nation, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • get a charge out of
  • get a charge out of (something)
  • get a charge out of something
  • get a kick out of (someone or something)
  • get a kick out of someone/something
  • get a kick out of something
  • get a kick from (someone or something)
  • get a kick from/out of something
  • get a buzz out of (someone or something)
  • get a buzz out of someone/something
References in periodicals archive
Terrifying as it would be to see him get within sniffing distance of the White House, it can't be denied that his candidacy for the Republican Party nomination is adding to the gaiety of nations.
Add as many handicaps and supplementary conditions races as you like, but let's not pretend they increase the gaiety of nations as much as they increase the financial rewards for the organisers.
Certainly, for those of us in the wonderful wacky world of the "Meeja" our existence would be dull indeed without Mr Kirk and his ilk to add to the gaiety of nations and the rich tapestry of life.
Never mind that this year's Arsenale show on cities was as dry as a ship's biscuit, the gaiety of nations in the Giardini took up Signor Burdett's theme of global urban existence (and the social, economic and architectural challenges thereof) con brio.
After a pause which is slightly too long (the movement just finished has thematic links with its succeeding one, and its final note leads naturally forward), the finale skirls with the gaiety of nations, released from the emotional and polyphonic rigours of its predecessors, and the CBSO crowns these 69 minutes, which have actually shot by, with an exultant chorale and a bustling, affirmative conclusion
And fabulously uplifting for all of us, because the Jordans and Peter Andres of this world add to the gaiety of nations. But it doesn't work in the boardroom.
It adds to the gaiety of nations - not in that way, of course - and it reminds us why his departure was so welcome.
George has done much to add to the gaiety of nations, not to mention to the galaxy of blondes he's squired over the years.
Johnson writing of David Garrick could have realized--he added "to the gaiety of nations." I know it was a pleasure, and I feel it was a privilege, to have been his contemporary.
But perhaps it is time we looked once again at producing a newspaper that deals predominantly in good news, aimed at increasing the general sense of cheerfulness and the gaiety of nations.
All this should add to the gaiety of nations, even if it does fail in its primary
To add to the gaiety of nations, some moron had apparently ordered them all to choose numbers consisting of the digits one and eight arranged in all possible permutations.
The Terry Nation estate (who happily gave me permission to use the Daleks five years ago) have now refused point-blank to let me use them again, and I am therefore unable to add to the Gaiety of Nations.
When Garrick died 42 years later, Johnson wrote, without undue exaggeration: 'I am disappointed by that stroke of death, which has eclipsed the gaiety of nations, and impoverished the public stock of harmless pleasure.'
But if you really want to contribute to the gaiety of nations, Sir Tim, why not introduce your old mate Andrew Lloyd Webber to James MacMillan and teach him to write a nice happy tune we can all whistle in the shower?