Meaning & Analysis
To go without a meal, particularly dinner. The phrase originates from the practice of people with no money for food loitering in St. Paul's Cathedral near a monument mistakenly believed to be the tomb of Duke Humphrey of Gloucester.
Insights
Poverty and Hunger
The proverb serves as a powerful metaphor for poverty and destitution. 'Dining with the Duke' symbolizes an absolute lack of resources, where one is left with no option but to endure hunger.
Social Exclusion
The act of 'dining' is inherently social. To 'dine' with a long-dead duke signifies profound social isolation and exclusion from the community, representing the state of being an outcast with no one to share a meal with.
Empty Promises and Disappointment
The phrase embodies the concept of a deceptive or empty promise. It presents a grand-sounding engagement—dining with nobility—that in reality is a void, symbolizing situations where high expectations lead to bitter disappointment and nothingness.
Historical and Social Context
The proverb is rooted in London's social history, specifically the custom of penniless individuals loitering near the supposed tomb of Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester (1390-1447), in Old St. Paul's Cathedral during dinner time. The Duke was famed for his hospitality in life, and in death, his 'hospitality' ironically extended to those with nowhere else to go and nothing to eat.
Psychology of Euphemism
The phrase functions as a dark, euphemistic joke. By elevating the grim reality of destitution to a mock-aristocratic event—an 'invitation' from a Duke—it uses humor to cope with the hardship of poverty and social exclusion. This reflects a psychological need to frame suffering in less direct, more manageable terms.
Literary and Cultural Resonance
Referenced by writers like Shakespeare and Hall, the proverb became a cultural shorthand for poverty. Its meaning was so ingrained that it required no explanation for a contemporary audience, signifying a shared understanding of the city's social landscape and its stark divide between the rich and the poor.
Rhetorical Devices
Euphemism
The phrase is a classic euphemism, substituting the harsh reality of 'going hungry' or 'being destitute' with a more socially acceptable, almost whimsical, expression.
Irony
The central stylistic device is irony, contrasting the high status of a 'Duke' with the low state of a person who is starving. This juxtaposition creates a powerful and memorable image of dignified poverty.
Historical Allusion
The proverb's meaning is entirely dependent on a specific historical and cultural allusion to Duke Humphrey and St. Paul's Cathedral. Without this shared knowledge, the phrase would be incomprehensible.
Transcription
Quotations
To seek his dinner in poules with Duke humphrey: to licke dishes, to be a beggar.
Trow'st thou where he din'd to day? In sooth I saw him sit with Duke Humfray.
The Haul summons this consort of companions, (vpon payne to dyne with Duke Humfrie, or kisse the Hares foote) to appeare at the first call.
Let me dine twice a week at Duke Humphry's table.
The Potron of Cordova is a certaine fountaine whereon stands a Pegasus: and to that fountaine resort a number of cunny-catching fellows, as to Duke Humfrey at Pauls.
Go to Paul's: Duke Humphrey wants a guest.
Some breake their fasts with Duke Humphrey.
After the death of good Duke Humphrey .. this Proverb did alter its copy; to dine with Duke Humphrey importing to be dinner-lesse.
Dine with Duke Humphrey, to go without a Dinner.
Dine with Duke Humphrey.
Shakespeare Citations
What comfortable hour canst thou name That ever grac'd me with thy company? —Faith, none but Humphrey Hour, that call'd your Grace To breakfast once, forth of my company.
Cross References
Annotations
- See Sugden, p. 158.
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
Used under CC BY-NC 3.0.