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Mettre de la Paille dans ses Souliers, or Mettre du Foin dans ses Bottes

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To amass money, to grow rich, especially by illicit gains. The reference is to a practice, in the sixteenth century, followed by beggars to extort alms.

“… Des quemands et belistres qui, pour abuser le monde, mettent de la paille en leurs souliers.”—Supplément du Catholicon, ch. ix.

 

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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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Metamorphic Words
Metaphysics (Greek, after-physics)
Metastasio
Metathesis
Methodical
Methodists
Methuen Treaty
Metonic Cycle (The)
Metra
Metropolitan (A)
Mettre de la Paille dans ses Souliers, or Mettre du Foin dans ses Bottes
Meum and Tuum
Mews
Mexitli
Mezentius
Mezzo Relievo
Mezzo Tinto (Italian, medium tint)
Mezzoramia
Micah Rood’s Apples
Micawber (Mr. Wilkins)
Micawberism