history of ‘money tree’ and ‘to shake the money tree’

23rd Dec 2019.Reading time 12 minutes.

‘money tree’ (UK, 1749): a source of easily obtained or unlimited money—‘to shake the money tree’ (UK, 1851)—related to proverb ‘money does not grow on trees’

‘to go bald-headed’ (to rush without care or caution)

12th Jun 2018.Reading time 5 minutes.

first recorded in The Biglow Papers (1848), by American author James Russell Lowell—based on the notion of leaving one’s hat behind in a rush of impetuosity

word histories

Tag: James Russell Lowell

history of ‘money tree’ and ‘to shake the money tree’

‘to go bald-headed’ (to rush without care or caution)