simon-pure

[ sahy-muhn-pyoor ]

adjective

1. real; genuine:

   a simon-pure accent.

simon-pure

adjective

1. real; genuine; authentic

Word History and Origins

Origin of simon-pure¹

1710–20; short for the real Simon Pure, alluding to the victim of impersonation in Susanna Centlivre's play A Bold Stroke for a Wife (1718)

Word History and Origins

Origin of simon-pure¹

C19: from the phrase the real Simon Pure, name of a character in the play A Bold Stroke for a Wife (1717) by Susannah Centlivre (1669–1723) who is impersonated by another character in some scenes

Idioms and Phrases

Absolutely genuine, quite authentic, as in That laboratory test was simon pure; none of the specimens was adulterated . This expression comes from the name of a character in a play, Susannah Centilivre's A Bold Stroke for a Wife (1717), who is the victim of an impersonation but turns up in the end and proves that he is “the real Simon Pure.”

Example Sentences

Midway between trade unionism and the simon-pure, idealistic reform philosophies stood producers' and consumers' cooperation.

From Project Gutenberg

There was one old chap in the town—Bill Budlong—who took a heap of pride in being the simon pure cuss.

From Project Gutenberg

A bunch of simon-pure tenderfeet strayed into the mountains west of here a couple of summers ago.

From Project Gutenberg

All these truthful sayings have been preserved as proverbs simply because they are simon pure truths.

From Project Gutenberg

This man does not get in over four or five hours' simon pure hard work in a day.

From Project Gutenberg