What is the origin and meaning of the saying "grinding grist to the mill"?

Impret-Sir | 11:51 Sat 06th May 2006 | Phrases & Sayings

5 Answers

What is grist, and what mills are being referred to?

Diaeresed?

Colour of Their Rosettes

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Quizmonster

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Impret-Sir

Question Author

Thanks for that reference Quizmonster, according to Google's 'proverb bank' , that I have just discovered, "grist" was actually a fine grit mixed with the corn, rather than the corn itself, put there to help ensure the grain was ground evenly. So thats slighty different from your definition, I guess you pays your money...

Quizmonster

Under the heading 'grist', The Oxford English Dictionary - the 'bible' in such matters - says nothing whatever about added grit, so I think you can safely take it that the proverb bank has got it wrong rather than that there is a choice.
The word comes from a Germanic source meaning the gnashing of teeth...hence the idea of grinding.

jno

there was a young girl of Aberystwyth
who took grain to the mill to get grist with
the miller's son Jack
laid her flat on her back
and united the organs they... er... kissed with.

Somebody17

Did you make up that limerick?

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