Grocott & Ward, comps. Grocott’s Familiar Quotations, 6th ed. 189-?.
Greek
Beside, ’tis known he could speak Greek,
As naturally as pigs squeak.
Butler.—Hudibras, Part I. Canto I. Line 51.
When Greeks joined Greeks, then was the tug of war.
Lee.—Alexander the Great, Act IV. Scene 2.
1.Did Cicero say anything?
2.Ay, he spoke Greek.
1.To what effect?
2.Nay, an I tell you that I’ll ne’er look you i’ th’ face again; but those that understood him smiled at one another, and shook their heads; but, for my own part, it was Greek to me.
Shakespeare.—Julius Cæsar, Act I. Scene 2. (Cassius and Casca.)
1.But did you understand ’em, brother?
2.I tell you, no. What does that signify? the very sound’s a sufficient comfort to an honest man.
Colley Cibber.—Love Makes a Man, Act I.
Old Homer taught us thus to speak;
If ’tis not sense, at least ’tis Greek.
Prior.—Alma, Canto III. Line 7.