| 释义 |
† ˈwoulder Obs.
[irreg. f. would, pa. tense of will v.1 + -er1.]
In the proverbial phrase wishers and woulders: those given to saying ‘I wish{ddd}’ and ‘I would{ddd}’, i.e. indulging idle wishes instead of making active efforts.
The proverb in which the word rimes with householders is freq. quoted (with slight variations) down to the 18th cent.
1508Stanbridge Vulgaria (W. de W.) C vj, Wysshers and wolders be small housholders. 1546J. Heywood Prov. i. xi. (1867) 26 Wishers and wolders be no good householders. a1617Bayne Lect. (1634) 140 A man may bee a wisher and woulder with Balaam, but misse of his desires. 1623R. Carpenter Consc. Christian 18 The imperfect Essayes..of lazie languishing wishers and woulders. 1646Hammond Tracts, Consc. 36 The hypocrisie of the wisher and woulder, that could wish he were better then he is. 1670Ray Prov. 295 (Scot. Prov.) Wishers and walders are poor househalders. [1870Schaff Comm. Prov. xxi. 25–6 Wishers and woulders are neither good householders nor long livers.]
†b. In well-woulder: well-wisher. Obs.—1
1643Plaine English 28 These are well-woulders to the Parliament. |