to the manner born

English

Etymology

Coined by William Shakespeare in 1603 in Hamlet, act 1, scene 4:

But to my mind, though I am native here

And to the manner born, it is a custom

More honored in the breach than the observance.

Pronunciation

• Homophone: to the manor born

Adjective

to the manner born

1. Familiar from birth with a specified custom, behavior, accouterment, etc.; naturally suited to it.
   • 1977, Gāmini Salgādo, The Elizabethan Underworld, Folio Society, published 2006, page 16:

     This [...] involved not only wearing certain clothes as if to the manner born, but being familiar with the gestures and the style of conversation associated with such clothes.

   • 2008 November 10, Jeremy Alexander, The Guardian:

     Stephen Ward, a winger converted to emergency left-back two months ago, now looks to the manner born.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:innate

See also

• more honored in the breach