E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Ring.
It has the true ring—has intrinsic merit; bears the mark of real talent. A metaphor taken from the custom of judging genuine money by its “ring” or sound. Ring, a circlet, is the Anglo-Saxon hring; ring, to sound a bell, etc., is the verb hring-an.
