Fanny Adams - Sweet

Definitions

• vulgar slang
  To indicate that something is worthless, unenjoyable, or of no value.

• euphemism for a young girl
  Referring to a young girl in a playful or endearing manner.

Examples of Fanny Adams - Sweet

• The fruits in the market were Fanny Adams - Sweet today, the vendor said.

  This idiom is used to describe food that is exceptionally sweet and pleasant. Fanny Adams was a young girl who was murdered in England in the 19th century. The term "Fanny Adams - Sweet" is a humorous euphemism used to describe food that is unusually sweet or delicious, as the name Fanny Adams has become associated with pleasantness due to the popular children's story "Five Finger Fanny" that romanticizes her tragic story.

• After a long day at work, I came home to a Fanny Adams - Sweet surprise - a decadent chocolate cake!

  This idiom can also be used as a descriptive adjective to emphasize the deliciousness or pleasantry of a particular food or surprise. The second example shows how the idiom can be used to describe a surprise related to food, implying that the surprise is particularly pleasing or sweet.

• The lemonade at the beachside stall was Fanny Adams - Sweet as the sun shone brightly on it.

  This idiom can also be used to describe other beverages or drinks that are exceptionally sweet or pleasant. Here, the idiom is used to describe lemonade as exceptionally sweet due to the sun shining on it, making it even more delightful.

• The candy floss at the carnival was Fanny Adams - Sweet as it spun and twirled in the air.

  This idiom is also frequently used to describe sweets, candies, or other sugary treats that are exceptionally sweet or delicious. This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe the way candy floss spins in the air, implying that it's enjoyable to watch it being prepared as well as eating it.Overall, these examples demonstrate how the "Fanny Adams - Sweet" idiom has become a commonly used euphemism that is employed to describe foods, drinks, or surprises that are exceptionally sweet or pleasant. It is a humorous and lighthearted idiom that emphasizes the positive aspects of food and beverages, making it an enjoyable way to speak about delicious treats.

• The way my grandmother used to bake apple pies would make your taste buds dance with joy. It was pure Fanny Adams - Sweet delight!

  This idiom is being used in a creative way to describe something as incredibly delicious and pleasurable. Fanny Adams is an old-fashioned British slang term, which originally referred to an unsavoury pint-sized dish of meat sold to schoolboys. 'Fanny' in the British context has a less explicit meaning than it does today, but the term fell out of use after the murder of a young girl named Charlotte Adams in the late 19th century. As a euphemism for 'Fanny', Adams came to be associated with the phrase 'sweet', with 'Fanny Adams - Sweet' evoking an innocuous and delightful connotation.

• The first sip of this wine was Fanny Adams - Sweet heaven in a glass!

  This idiom is being used to describe an exceptional and delectable experience. The verb 'was' is used here in the past tense because the speaker is describing his previous experience.

• The chocolate cake I had tonight was Fanny Adams - Sweet karma in a bite!

  This idiom is being used in a fun and imaginative way to denote something that yields divine gratification. The speaker is comparing the divine flavour of the cake to a form of spiritual and celestial reward.

• The street performers in Central Park put on a show so Fanny Adams - Sweet, I couldn't help but tip them a generous amount!

  This idiom is being used to illustrate an enjoyable and delightful experience. The speaker's discretionary act of generosity was motivated by his sheer delight at the performance.

Conclusion

The idiom "Fanny Adams" or "Sweet Fanny Adams" has two distinct meanings, one being a vulgar slang term and the other a euphemism for a young girl. The two meanings are unrelated and have very different connotations.

In the first meaning, "Fanny Adams" is used as a vulgar slang term to indicate that something is worthless or of no value. This usage is believed to have originated in the British Royal Navy in the late 19th century, where sailors would refer to their tinned mutton rations as "Sweet Fanny Adams" due to their poor quality. Over time, the term became associated with anything that was deemed worthless or subpar.

The second meaning of "Fanny Adams" as a euphemism for a young girl is believed to have originated from the true story of Fanny Adams, a young girl who was brutally murdered in England in 1867. The phrase "Sweet Fanny Adams" was used as a euphemism for her tragic death, and over time, it evolved to refer to young girls in a more lighthearted and endearing way.

Origin of "Fanny Adams - Sweet"

The origin of the idiom "Fanny Adams" is believed to come from the true story of Fanny Adams, a young girl who was murdered in England in 1867. Her murderer, Frederick Baker, was sentenced to death and the case gained widespread attention in the media. The phrase "Sweet Fanny Adams" was used as a euphemism for her murder, and it eventually became a popular saying in England.

Over time, the phrase evolved to have a different meaning, as it was used by sailors in the British Royal Navy to refer to their tinned mutton rations. This usage was believed to have originated in the late 19th century and eventually became associated with anything that was deemed worthless or of poor quality.

Today, the idiom "Fanny Adams" or "Sweet Fanny Adams" is still used in both of its meanings, although the vulgar slang meaning is more commonly known and used. The idiom has also been adapted into other variations, such as "Sweet F.A." or "F.A." which have the same meaning of something being worthless or of no value.