PhrasesHub

Canterbury pace

    Definitions

      • Moving too slowly
        To describe someone or something that is progressing or moving at a slow or leisurely pace, often used in a negative connotation

      • Consistency and steadiness
        To describe someone or something that is moving with a steady and consistent pace, typically used in a positive manner

      • Lack of urgency
        To convey a sense of slowness or lack of urgency in a situation, often used to express frustration or impatience

      • Delay or procrastination
        To indicate a delay or procrastination in completing a task or reaching a goal, often used to express disappointment or disapproval

    Examples of Canterbury pace


      Conclusion

      The idiom "Canterbury pace" is often used to describe various aspects of speed and movement. It can convey a negative connotation of moving too slowly or lacking urgency, but it can also be used in a positive sense to describe consistency and steadiness. In addition, it can also be used to express frustration with delays or procrastination.

      Origin of "Canterbury pace"

      The origin of the idiom "Canterbury pace" can be traced back to the medieval times in England. Canterbury is a city in southeast England and was a major pilgrimage site during the Middle Ages. Pilgrims would travel to Canterbury from all over England, often by foot or horseback, to visit the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket.

      In those times, the pace at which pilgrims traveled was referred to as the "Canterbury pace." It was a steady and consistent pace, not too fast or slow, but just enough to reach their destination in a timely manner. Over time, the idiom became associated with any type of movement or progress that was not too fast or slow, but just right.

      Today, the idiom is still used to describe various aspects of speed and movement, but its origins can be traced back to the pilgrimage to Canterbury in medieval England.