notes on the phrase ‘sing ’em muck’

21st Feb 2021.Reading time 17 minutes.

1928 in Clara Butt: Her Life-Story, by H. W. Ponder—“Sing ’em muck! It’s all they can understand!”: advice given by Australian soprano Nellie Melba to English contralto Clara Butt, who was about to undertake a tour of Australia

‘to do a Melba’ | ‘to do a Dame Nellie’: meanings and origin

24th Sep 2020.Reading time 6 minutes.

Australia, 1946—to return to one’s profession after retirement; of a singer or other performer: to make frequent comebacks—from the repeated farewell performances given by Australian opera singer Dame Nellie Melba

word histories

Tag: Nellie Melba

notes on the phrase ‘sing ’em muck’

‘to do a Melba’ | ‘to do a Dame Nellie’: meanings and origin