till death do us part
till death do us part (idiom, vow expression)
/ˈtɪl dɛθ duː əs pɑːrt/
The vow “till death do us part” is an idiom, with elements of hyperbole and metaphor, expressing a lifelong commitment that only death can end.
Meanings
- A vow of lifelong commitment, usually in marriage, promising to remain together until one partner dies.
- An expression of unwavering loyalty or dedication to a person, relationship, or cause.
- A solemn phrase from traditional wedding vows, highlighting permanence.
- A poetic expression of an enduring bond that lasts until death.
Synonyms: forever; for life; until the end; everlasting; lifelong.
Example Sentences
- During their wedding, Sarah and John promised to love each other till death do us part, vowing to face all challenges together.
- Maria swore till death do us part to stand by her best friend, no matter what life brought their way.
- The priest recited the vow, asking the couple if they would honor each other till death do us part.
- The old poet wrote of a love that would endure till death do us part, capturing their timeless devotion.
Variants
- until death do us part
- till death us do part
- until we are parted by death
- till the end of our days
Origin and History
Theories And Beliefs
The phrase “till death do us part” originates as a translation of older Latin and vernacular wedding formulas used in medieval England, particularly in the Sarum and York rites. These earlier texts expressed the principle that the marriage bond lasted for life and ended only with death. The wording was later standardized in English through The Book of Common Prayer, which carried it into common religious, social, and literary life. Over time, small changes in grammar and word order shaped the phrase into the familiar form known today.
Medieval Liturgical Roots
In the medieval church, marriage services contained vows that promised lifelong union, often worded as “as long as the life of both of you shall last.” The English reformers retained this tradition, adapting it directly into their vernacular liturgy. This continuity explains the lasting shape of the marriage vow, “to have and to hold … till death …,” which became deeply embedded in English culture.
First Printed Record
The first appearance of the phrase in English print occurs in The Book of Common Prayer. In its earliest form, the vow reads:
“…to love and to cherish, till death us depart…”
Here the word depart carried the older meaning “to separate.” This became the foundational version from which later wording developed.
Wording Evolution
Later editions of the Prayer Book updated the form to “till death us do part.” From there, ordinary usage gradually reshaped it into the modern sequence “till death do us part.” This evolution reflects both the natural shifts in English syntax and the influence of widespread repetition in weddings over the centuries.
Country of Origin
The phrase in its recognized form is of English origin. It emerged from the medieval rites of England and was fixed in the nation’s liturgy, before spreading more broadly across the English-speaking world.
Alternative Explanations
While the wording became fixed in print, the idea behind it was already present in the culture: marriage was understood as a covenant broken only by death. Similar expressions of lifelong fidelity existed in other Christian rites, but the English form became distinct through its liturgical use and enduring repetition in weddings.
Origin Conclusion
“Till death do us part” developed from medieval English church services, was formalized in The Book of Common Prayer, and evolved into its modern form through gradual linguistic change. Its survival reflects both the solemnity of the vow and its deep cultural resonance as a statement of lifelong commitment.
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