- Meaning
- This idiom describes someone or something that is an exact or strikingly close likeness to another, often in appearance, behavior, or essence, as if they were 'spat out' as a perfect replica of the original. It conveys a remarkable, almost uncanny resemblance, typically used in personal, familial, or descriptive contexts to highlight mirrored traits, especially between relatives or copies. The phrase carries a tone of amazement, affection, or vivid observation, reflecting cultural fascination with heredity, imitation, and the human delight in spotting near-identical qualities. It resonates in family settings, artistic comparisons, or nostalgic reflections, capturing the wonder of mirrored identities. Its quirky imagery, evoking a literal spitting out of a duplicate, adds a layer of folksy charm, making it a warm and vivid expression for celebrating or marveling at profound resemblance, often emphasizing inherited or replicated traits that feel almost magical in their precision.
- Origin
- The phrase likely originated in 17th-century England, evolving from the earlier 'spit and image,' where 'spit' may derive from 'spirit' or the idea of being 'spat out' as a perfect copy, possibly tied to folklore about creation or birth. Its earliest recorded use as 'spitting image' appears in George Meredith’s 1887 novel *The Egoist*, describing a son as the ‘spitting image’ of his father. The idiom gained traction in the 19th century, reflecting a culture fascinated by lineage and physical traits, as seen in Charles Dickens’ *David Copperfield* (1850), which explores familial likenesses. Its modern form solidified in the early 20th century, particularly in American English, with *The New York Times* using it in 1901 to describe a doppelgänger. The phrase’s adoption was amplified by media, including family dramas and Hollywood films like *It’s a Wonderful Life* (1946), which celebrate heritage. Its spread to British and Commonwealth English came through transatlantic literary influence, notably via Mark Twain’s works like *Huckleberry Finn* (1884), which revel in vivid vernacular. The phrase’s enduring use across English-speaking cultures, from family reunions to pop culture comparisons, stems from its vivid imagery and universal appeal in noting resemblance, reinforced by its frequent use in oral storytelling and media.
- Variants
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- Spitting image
- Spit and image
- Dead ringer
- Carbon copy
- Examples
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- She’s the spitting image of her mother, with the same curly hair and laugh.
- Spit and image, he mirrors his dad’s walk and sense of humor.
- A dead ringer for his brother, they’re often mistaken for twins.
- Carbon copy of her aunt, she inherited the same fiery personality.
- He’s the spitting image of his grandfather, even down to the way he tilts his hat.
- The new sculpture is the spitting image of the original masterpiece.
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