all agog
all agog (idiom)
/ɔːl əˈɡɒɡ/
Variants
- agog
- left agog
- set agog
Meanings
- Extremely eager and excited, often with curiosity or suspense.
- In a state of great anticipation, waiting for something to happen.
- Wide-eyed with wonder or astonishment.
Synonyms: eager; excited; astonished; amazed; thrilled; expectant.
Example Sentences
- The children were all agog to hear the magician reveal his next trick.
- Reporters were all agog as the celebrity arrived unannounced.
- The crowd stood agog, waiting for the final announcement.
- She was left agog when he suddenly proposed in front of everyone.
- The mysterious letter set the whole village agog, with people whispering on every street corner.
- She was left all agog at the breathtaking view from the mountain. (astonishment)
Origin and History
The idiom “all agog” derives primarily from the Middle French phrase en gogues, which translates to “in a state of mirth” or “amused.” This expression stems from the Old French noun gogue, denoting fun, amusement, or merriment. Etymologists posit that gogue itself is of imitative origin, evoking the sounds of lively or boisterous enjoyment. No alternative theories challenge this French provenance, though some scholars note a possible Romance base suggesting onomatopoeic roots related to exuberant noise.
The adverbial form “agog” entered English around 1400, initially conveying a sense of eager anticipation or heated desire, as defined by Samuel Johnson in his 1755 dictionary as “in a state of desire; in a state of imagination; longing.”
Historical Development and Usage
Throughout its history, “all agog” has consistently denoted a state of intense excitement, eager expectation, or astonishment, often intensifying the base adjective “agog” to emphasize collective or heightened fervor. Early uses reflect a progression from adverbial to adjectival applications, with the phrase capturing moments of suspense or enthusiastic readiness. By the 17th century, it appeared in dramatic and poetic contexts to describe animated crowds or individuals on the brink of action.
Later examples, such as in 18th-century literature, underscore its enduring role in evoking playful impatience. The idiom’s connotation shifted subtly toward astonishment in modern usage while retaining its core sense of eager curiosity. No significant folkloric or mythological beliefs surround the phrase; its development aligns with broader patterns in English idiomatic intensification using “all” for emphasis.
Country of Origin
The idiom “all agog” originated in England, emerging within the context of early modern English literature and linguistic borrowing from French influences prevalent during the medieval and Renaissance periods. As an English construction built upon Anglo-French roots, it first crystallized in British printed works, reflecting the cultural exchange between England and continental Europe. Subsequent adoption in American English followed colonial patterns, but the phrase’s foundational appearances remain tied to English authorship and publication.
Earliest Printed Record
The earliest printed record of “all agog” appears in John Wilson’s tragedy Andronicus Comnenius, published in 1664. In Act IV, Scene i, the line reads:
“They are all agog, / And may do mischief.”
This quotation, illustrates the phrase’s adjectival use to convey a group in a state of eager agitation, poised for potential disorder. Wilson’s work, a historical drama set in 12th-century Byzantium, marks the idiom’s debut in dramatic literature, predating more famous instances like William Cowper’s 1782 poem The Diverting History of John Gilpin, which features:
“Six precious souls, and all agog, / To dash through thick and thin.”
This 1664 attestation serves as the inaugural example, underscoring the phrase’s 17th-century maturation from isolated adverbial forms recorded as early as circa 1405.
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