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Change

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Ringing the changes. Repeating the same thing in different ways. The allusion is to bell-ringing.

⁂ To know how many changes can be rung on a peal of bells, multiply the known preceding number by the next subsequent one, thus: 1 bell no change; 2 bells, 1 X 2 = 2 changes; 3 bells, 2 X 3 = 6 changes; 4 bells, 6 X 4 = 24 changes; 5 bells, 24 X 5 = 120 changes; 6 bells, 720 changes, etc.

Take your change out of that. Said to a person who insults you when you give him a quid pro quo, and tell him to take out the change. It is an allusion to shopping transactions, where you settle the price of the article, and put the surplus or change in your pocket.

 

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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Champerty
Champion and Severall
Champion of England
Chance
Chancel
Chancellor
Chancellor of England (The)
Chancellor of the Exchequer (The)
Chancery
Chaneph
Change
Changeling
Chant du Depart
Chantage
Chanticleer
Chaonian Bird (The)
Chaonian Food
Chaos (kaos)
Chap
Chap-book (A)
Chapeau or Chapel de Roses

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