E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Fire. (Anglo-Saxon, fyr; Greek, pur.)
St. Antony’s fire. Erysipelas. “Le feu St. Antoine.” (See ANTHONY.)
1
St. Helen’s fire. “Ignis sanctœ Helnœ.”
2
“Feu St. Helme.” (See CASTOR and POLLUX; and ELMO.)
3
Hermes’s fire. Same as St. Helen’s fire (q.v.).
4
I have myself passed through the fire; I have smelt the smell of fire. I have had experience in trouble. The allusion is to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who were cast into the fiery furnace by Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. iii.).
5
If you will enjoy the fire you must put up with the smoke. (Latin, “Commod’itas quœvis sua fert incommda secum.”) Every convenience has its inconvenience.
6
More fire in the bed-straw. More mischief brewing. Alluding to the times when straw was used for carpets and beds.
7
No fire without smoke. (French, “Nul feu sans fumée.”) No good without its mixture of evil.
8
No smoke without fire. To every scandal there is some foundation.
9
Where there is smoke there is fire. Every effect is the result of some cause.
nœ.”
da secum.”) Every convenience has its inconvenience.
