Interesting phrases part 74

"Burning the midnight oil" is this oil some how different than the oil for the rest of the day? Is oil for midnight only to be used at 12 a.m.? How long is midnight oil good for at 12:01 do you need to change your your oil? This is too much just go to bed.

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OogieBoogie · F

when the phrase was originally coined, it was expensive to burn oil. Especially good quality lamp oil.
Many housholds rationed it.
It was also dangerous with the accumulated fumes and flamabilty.

It had connotations of dedication, diligence, sacrifice and urgency.

The original term was akin to "to spend ones midday sweat, and midnight oil".