| the fact that people like to use candles as a way of | | | | paraphrased this old saying in one of his speeches. He |
| helping them relax, perhaps just sitting quietly with a | | | | said, "We are not here to curse the darkness; we are |
| candle and staring into its flame or in the bathroom | | | | here to light a candle." |
| while steaming in a hot tub of water—a phrase | | | | Candles have been a part of mankind’s life for |
| has been born—relaxing with wax. An older | | | | an extremely long time and in people all over the world |
| candle phrase—cannot hold a candle to means | | | | have created candles in different versions. Different |
| someone isn’t nearly as good as someone | | | | types of fat and oil have been the main ingredients in |
| else, perhaps at doing something. | | | | making these candles. People have needed something |
| The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable states | | | | to light homes, temples, and churches and candles |
| that there was a positive turn to this phrase, which | | | | have filled the bill. The relationship between people and |
| began in the 16th century or at least it was written | | | | candles is ancient. Maybe that is why people still want |
| down then. The literal meaning was that an assistant | | | | candles in their homes even when they have electric |
| held a candle that a superior worked by says Oxford. | | | | lights. When gaslight was invented the phrase |
| That is, an apprentice holding the candle for a | | | | candlepower immerged. The illuminating power of the |
| tradesman with experience to see how to do the | | | | gas lamp was measured with a candle standard; |
| work. Many people have heard someone say that | | | | candelas were the light of one candle. |
| Elizabeth is attractive (or whomever), but she | | | | Not surprisingly, the word candle has been used in |
| can’t hold a candle to Sarah. This expression is | | | | reference to fireworks as in the Roman candle. It is |
| said to be of French origin. | | | | shaped like a cylinder or basically a candle shape and it |
| Another expression is burning the candle at both ends. | | | | produces sparks. |
| This usually means working and staying or just partying | | | | People instinctively feel the ancient connection with |
| all the time. Not worth the candle is an expression that | | | | candles, that may be one of he reasons that they like |
| came about before 900 A.D. It means it isn’t | | | | them so much. It is the important relationship between |
| worth the effort to try to get someone to see your | | | | people and candles that have caused many candle |
| viewpoint. | | | | phrases to come into the vernacular of a given time |
| Another one is it is better to light a candle than to | | | | period and many of the phrases persist to this day. |
| curse the darkness. The origin isn’t clear. | | | | Candles have become part of the language and |
| Darkness is a well-known metaphor for evil. It seems | | | | metaphor that we explain our lives through and |
| that this age old phrase has a spiritual meaning and | | | | express our feelings about certain things with the |
| possibly a literal meaning too. John Kennedy | | | | qualities of the lowly but triumphant candle. |