“What in the name of Merlin are you doing?” meaning
"What in the name of Merlin are you doing?" said Ron, watching her as though fearful for her sanity.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
What does the sentence truly mean? Is "in the name of Merlin" an idiom? I get the meaning of "in the name of": as someone else’s official representative, but I am not sure about the meaning of the whole phrase.
phrase-meaning
asked Feb 2 at 12:00
dandan
5,47322878
add a comment |
"What in the name of Merlin are you doing?" said Ron, watching her as though fearful for her sanity.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
What does the sentence truly mean? Is "in the name of Merlin" an idiom? I get the meaning of "in the name of": as someone else’s official representative, but I am not sure about the meaning of the whole phrase.
phrase-meaning
asked Feb 2 at 12:00
dandan
5,47322878
1
Related question on ELU: What's the meaning of “in God's name”?
– FumbleFingers
Feb 2 at 14:16
2
Note that in the Harry Potter series, Merlin seems to be used a lot by the Wizarding community where Muggle expressions would contain some sort of reference to God or Jesus: “in the name of Merlin”, “Merlin’s beard”, etc.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
Feb 2 at 16:58
@FumbleFingers I'm wondering why it hasn't put: "in the God's name"?
– dan
Feb 2 at 22:32
@dan: In monotheistic ("there is only one God"; Christiantity, Islam,...) contexts, the standard English reference is just God, with no article. But we do include the article with the Lord.
– FumbleFingers
Feb 3 at 13:14
@dan It's deliberate. It's to give an everyday phrase a magical equivalent, making you feel like you're part of a different, but related world
– Au101
Feb 3 at 16:22
add a comment |
"What in the name of Merlin are you doing?" said Ron, watching her as though fearful for her sanity.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
What does the sentence truly mean? Is "in the name of Merlin" an idiom? I get the meaning of "in the name of": as someone else’s official representative, but I am not sure about the meaning of the whole phrase.
phrase-meaning
asked Feb 2 at 12:00
dandan
5,47322878
"What in the name of Merlin are you doing?" said Ron, watching her as though fearful for her sanity.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
What does the sentence truly mean? Is "in the name of Merlin" an idiom? I get the meaning of "in the name of": as someone else’s official representative, but I am not sure about the meaning of the whole phrase.
phrase-meaning
phrase-meaning
asked Feb 2 at 12:00
dandan
5,47322878
asked Feb 2 at 12:00
dandan
5,47322878
asked Feb 2 at 12:00
dandan
5,47322878
asked Feb 2 at 12:00
dandan
5,47322878
asked Feb 2 at 12:00
dandan
5,47322878
5,47322878
1
Related question on ELU: What's the meaning of “in God's name”?
– FumbleFingers
Feb 2 at 14:16
2
Note that in the Harry Potter series, Merlin seems to be used a lot by the Wizarding community where Muggle expressions would contain some sort of reference to God or Jesus: “in the name of Merlin”, “Merlin’s beard”, etc.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
Feb 2 at 16:58
@FumbleFingers I'm wondering why it hasn't put: "in the God's name"?
– dan
Feb 2 at 22:32
@dan: In monotheistic ("there is only one God"; Christiantity, Islam,...) contexts, the standard English reference is just God, with no article. But we do include the article with the Lord.
– FumbleFingers
Feb 3 at 13:14
@dan It's deliberate. It's to give an everyday phrase a magical equivalent, making you feel like you're part of a different, but related world
– Au101
Feb 3 at 16:22
add a comment |
1
Related question on ELU: What's the meaning of “in God's name”?
– FumbleFingers
Feb 2 at 14:16
2
Note that in the Harry Potter series, Merlin seems to be used a lot by the Wizarding community where Muggle expressions would contain some sort of reference to God or Jesus: “in the name of Merlin”, “Merlin’s beard”, etc.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
Feb 2 at 16:58
@FumbleFingers I'm wondering why it hasn't put: "in the God's name"?
– dan
Feb 2 at 22:32
@dan: In monotheistic ("there is only one God"; Christiantity, Islam,...) contexts, the standard English reference is just God, with no article. But we do include the article with the Lord.
– FumbleFingers
Feb 3 at 13:14
@dan It's deliberate. It's to give an everyday phrase a magical equivalent, making you feel like you're part of a different, but related world
– Au101
Feb 3 at 16:22
1
1
Related question on ELU: What's the meaning of “in God's name”?
– FumbleFingers
Feb 2 at 14:16
Related question on ELU: What's the meaning of “in God's name”?
– FumbleFingers
Feb 2 at 14:16
2
2
Note that in the Harry Potter series, Merlin seems to be used a lot by the Wizarding community where Muggle expressions would contain some sort of reference to God or Jesus: “in the name of Merlin”, “Merlin’s beard”, etc.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
Feb 2 at 16:58
Note that in the Harry Potter series, Merlin seems to be used a lot by the Wizarding community where Muggle expressions would contain some sort of reference to God or Jesus: “in the name of Merlin”, “Merlin’s beard”, etc.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
Feb 2 at 16:58
@FumbleFingers I'm wondering why it hasn't put: "in the God's name"?
– dan
Feb 2 at 22:32
@FumbleFingers I'm wondering why it hasn't put: "in the God's name"?
– dan
Feb 2 at 22:32
@dan: In monotheistic ("there is only one God"; Christiantity, Islam,...) contexts, the standard English reference is just God, with no article. But we do include the article with the Lord.
– FumbleFingers
Feb 3 at 13:14
@dan: In monotheistic ("there is only one God"; Christiantity, Islam,...) contexts, the standard English reference is just God, with no article. But we do include the article with the Lord.
– FumbleFingers
Feb 3 at 13:14
@dan It's deliberate. It's to give an everyday phrase a magical equivalent, making you feel like you're part of a different, but related world
– Au101
Feb 3 at 16:22
@dan It's deliberate. It's to give an everyday phrase a magical equivalent, making you feel like you're part of a different, but related world
– Au101
Feb 3 at 16:22
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
The original phrase was "in the name of God". The idea was that the speaker must tell the truth. They must swear an oath.
So:
Judge: Tell me, did you steal the bread?
Accused: In the name of God, I swear that I did not steal the bread.
or
Lord of the manor: In the name of God man, What are you doing at my door?
Interloper: My lord I am only a poor peasant, trying to beg a crumb. This I swear.
EDIT
As Sarriesfan points out in a comment. "in the name of Merlin" is an invention of the author, J.K. Rowling. It is not an idiom. She uses the name of a famous wizard from folklore as a euphemism for 'God'.
answered Feb 2 at 12:23
chasly from UKchasly from UK
2,512313
3
it might be worth mentioning to avoid any confusion that "In the name of Merlin" is not a standard idiom, it's something made up by J.K. Rowling to fit the background of Harry Potter.
– Sarriesfan
Feb 2 at 14:37
@Sarriesfan - Good point, I'll add that.
– chasly from UK
Feb 2 at 14:46
1
i don't think it's a euphemism. Well, maybe in-univerise it is. But the point is she's taken an everyday phrase and made a magical equivalent. it's more of a reference. As a reader, you're supposed to notice the parallel, it's one of the things that makes Harry Potter so enjoyable and imersive to me
– Au101
Feb 3 at 0:28
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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oldest
votes
The original phrase was "in the name of God". The idea was that the speaker must tell the truth. They must swear an oath.
So:
Judge: Tell me, did you steal the bread?
Accused: In the name of God, I swear that I did not steal the bread.
or
Lord of the manor: In the name of God man, What are you doing at my door?
Interloper: My lord I am only a poor peasant, trying to beg a crumb. This I swear.
EDIT
As Sarriesfan points out in a comment. "in the name of Merlin" is an invention of the author, J.K. Rowling. It is not an idiom. She uses the name of a famous wizard from folklore as a euphemism for 'God'.
answered Feb 2 at 12:23
chasly from UKchasly from UK
2,512313
3
it might be worth mentioning to avoid any confusion that "In the name of Merlin" is not a standard idiom, it's something made up by J.K. Rowling to fit the background of Harry Potter.
– Sarriesfan
Feb 2 at 14:37
@Sarriesfan - Good point, I'll add that.
– chasly from UK
Feb 2 at 14:46
1
i don't think it's a euphemism. Well, maybe in-univerise it is. But the point is she's taken an everyday phrase and made a magical equivalent. it's more of a reference. As a reader, you're supposed to notice the parallel, it's one of the things that makes Harry Potter so enjoyable and imersive to me
– Au101
Feb 3 at 0:28
add a comment |
The original phrase was "in the name of God". The idea was that the speaker must tell the truth. They must swear an oath.
So:
Judge: Tell me, did you steal the bread?
Accused: In the name of God, I swear that I did not steal the bread.
or
Lord of the manor: In the name of God man, What are you doing at my door?
Interloper: My lord I am only a poor peasant, trying to beg a crumb. This I swear.
EDIT
As Sarriesfan points out in a comment. "in the name of Merlin" is an invention of the author, J.K. Rowling. It is not an idiom. She uses the name of a famous wizard from folklore as a euphemism for 'God'.
answered Feb 2 at 12:23
chasly from UKchasly from UK
2,512313
3
it might be worth mentioning to avoid any confusion that "In the name of Merlin" is not a standard idiom, it's something made up by J.K. Rowling to fit the background of Harry Potter.
– Sarriesfan
Feb 2 at 14:37
@Sarriesfan - Good point, I'll add that.
– chasly from UK
Feb 2 at 14:46
1
i don't think it's a euphemism. Well, maybe in-univerise it is. But the point is she's taken an everyday phrase and made a magical equivalent. it's more of a reference. As a reader, you're supposed to notice the parallel, it's one of the things that makes Harry Potter so enjoyable and imersive to me
– Au101
Feb 3 at 0:28
add a comment |
The original phrase was "in the name of God". The idea was that the speaker must tell the truth. They must swear an oath.
So:
Judge: Tell me, did you steal the bread?
Accused: In the name of God, I swear that I did not steal the bread.
or
Lord of the manor: In the name of God man, What are you doing at my door?
Interloper: My lord I am only a poor peasant, trying to beg a crumb. This I swear.
EDIT
As Sarriesfan points out in a comment. "in the name of Merlin" is an invention of the author, J.K. Rowling. It is not an idiom. She uses the name of a famous wizard from folklore as a euphemism for 'God'.
answered Feb 2 at 12:23
chasly from UKchasly from UK
2,512313
The original phrase was "in the name of God". The idea was that the speaker must tell the truth. They must swear an oath.
So:
Judge: Tell me, did you steal the bread?
Accused: In the name of God, I swear that I did not steal the bread.
or
Lord of the manor: In the name of God man, What are you doing at my door?
Interloper: My lord I am only a poor peasant, trying to beg a crumb. This I swear.
EDIT
As Sarriesfan points out in a comment. "in the name of Merlin" is an invention of the author, J.K. Rowling. It is not an idiom. She uses the name of a famous wizard from folklore as a euphemism for 'God'.
answered Feb 2 at 12:23
chasly from UKchasly from UK
2,512313
edited Feb 2 at 14:45
answered Feb 2 at 12:23
chasly from UKchasly from UK
2,512313
answered Feb 2 at 12:23
chasly from UKchasly from UK
2,512313
answered Feb 2 at 12:23
chasly from UKchasly from UK
2,512313
2,512313
3
it might be worth mentioning to avoid any confusion that "In the name of Merlin" is not a standard idiom, it's something made up by J.K. Rowling to fit the background of Harry Potter.
– Sarriesfan
Feb 2 at 14:37
@Sarriesfan - Good point, I'll add that.
– chasly from UK
Feb 2 at 14:46
1
i don't think it's a euphemism. Well, maybe in-univerise it is. But the point is she's taken an everyday phrase and made a magical equivalent. it's more of a reference. As a reader, you're supposed to notice the parallel, it's one of the things that makes Harry Potter so enjoyable and imersive to me
– Au101
Feb 3 at 0:28
add a comment |
3
it might be worth mentioning to avoid any confusion that "In the name of Merlin" is not a standard idiom, it's something made up by J.K. Rowling to fit the background of Harry Potter.
– Sarriesfan
Feb 2 at 14:37
@Sarriesfan - Good point, I'll add that.
– chasly from UK
Feb 2 at 14:46
1
i don't think it's a euphemism. Well, maybe in-univerise it is. But the point is she's taken an everyday phrase and made a magical equivalent. it's more of a reference. As a reader, you're supposed to notice the parallel, it's one of the things that makes Harry Potter so enjoyable and imersive to me
– Au101
Feb 3 at 0:28
3
3
it might be worth mentioning to avoid any confusion that "In the name of Merlin" is not a standard idiom, it's something made up by J.K. Rowling to fit the background of Harry Potter.
– Sarriesfan
Feb 2 at 14:37
it might be worth mentioning to avoid any confusion that "In the name of Merlin" is not a standard idiom, it's something made up by J.K. Rowling to fit the background of Harry Potter.
– Sarriesfan
Feb 2 at 14:37
@Sarriesfan - Good point, I'll add that.
– chasly from UK
Feb 2 at 14:46
@Sarriesfan - Good point, I'll add that.
– chasly from UK
Feb 2 at 14:46
1
1
i don't think it's a euphemism. Well, maybe in-univerise it is. But the point is she's taken an everyday phrase and made a magical equivalent. it's more of a reference. As a reader, you're supposed to notice the parallel, it's one of the things that makes Harry Potter so enjoyable and imersive to me
– Au101
Feb 3 at 0:28
i don't think it's a euphemism. Well, maybe in-univerise it is. But the point is she's taken an everyday phrase and made a magical equivalent. it's more of a reference. As a reader, you're supposed to notice the parallel, it's one of the things that makes Harry Potter so enjoyable and imersive to me
– Au101
Feb 3 at 0:28
add a comment |
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1
Related question on ELU: What's the meaning of “in God's name”?
– FumbleFingers
Feb 2 at 14:16
2
Note that in the Harry Potter series, Merlin seems to be used a lot by the Wizarding community where Muggle expressions would contain some sort of reference to God or Jesus: “in the name of Merlin”, “Merlin’s beard”, etc.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
Feb 2 at 16:58
@FumbleFingers I'm wondering why it hasn't put: "in the God's name"?
– dan
Feb 2 at 22:32
@dan: In monotheistic ("there is only one God"; Christiantity, Islam,...) contexts, the standard English reference is just God, with no article. But we do include the article with the Lord.
– FumbleFingers
Feb 3 at 13:14
@dan It's deliberate. It's to give an everyday phrase a magical equivalent, making you feel like you're part of a different, but related world
– Au101
Feb 3 at 16:22