vim and vigor

vim and vigor

Meaning | Synonyms

• full of energy and enthusiasm
• high spirit
• verve
• vitality
• liveliness

Example Sentences

1. Even though my grandmother is in her 80s, she is still full of vim and vigor.
2. The old man proved his vim and vigor by sprinting up the steps.
3. If you wish to reduce your weight, then exercise daily with all your vim and vigor.
4. I have to kick start my new business with vim and vigor.
5. My dog is always full of vim and vigor and can barely sit calm.

Origin

The phrase is an example oftautology. This means that the same idea is stated twice in an attempt to emphasizethe meaning. Thus, the second word is redundant.

The term vim and vigor, was first used in the 1800s. The word “vim” seems to be used only in this phrase. No evidence of it can be found before 1843. In contrast, “vigor” has been used since the 1300s. It is believed to be derived from the Latin “vigere,” meaning “to be lively, to thrive.”

It seems as if the original phrase was “vis and vigor.” However, after the 1800s the wording appears to have changed. It is not known what made people change “vis to vim.” Some sources believe that the change is due to the fact that “vis and vigor” gave birth to the saying “piss and vinegar.” This is a terribly crude saying and it would stand to reason that more educated folks chose to change the phrase to keep from sounding common.