In writing the history of Plymouth Plantation, William Bradford gave God the credit for pretty much everything he and the other Separatists experienced in their journey on the Mayflower in 1620 and the first difficult winter they spent in Massachusetts. In the spring of 1621, a Pemaquid named Samoset approached the English colony and spoke to them in broken English of a Wampanoag sachem, Massasoit. Shortly thereafter, Massasoit came to the colony with Squanto, a Patuxet who spoke English well. After negotiating a six-point agreement, Massosoit left, but Squanto stayed behind with the colonists and helped them. He was a translator and advised them on the best places to plant, hunt, fish, and trade, and how to navigate the local geography. Bradford describes Squanto as " a special instrument sent of God for their good beyond their expectation." Bradford gives the credit to God for sending Squanto to the colony.
Does anybody know the etymology of the phrase "sweet dreams"? I tried googling but did not find anything satisfying. Is this a relatively new phrase of the modern world or has this been in use for some time? I think it's the latter one. Answer The OED has the interjection as "a farewell to someone going to bed" from the 20th century: 1908 Sears Roebuck Catal. 198/1 Tenor Solos..Good Bye, Sweet Dreams, Good Bye. But it goes back until at least the 19th and possibly 18th centuries. John Wolcot, writing under the pseudonym of Peter Pindar, used it in his poem "Orson and Ellen; A Legendary Tale" published in 1801: Also from 1801 in The infernal Quixote (Page 287) by Charles Lucas: In the March 1776 of The Universal Magazine was published "The Serenade. A Pastoral Tale. From the German of Gesner" , where the shepherd Daphnis watches over his beloved as she sleeps and sings: The same tale appears in 1776's as Idyl XI, " Daphnis ...
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