Have you seen the phrase 'three score and a ten' somewhere and would like to know more about its context and meaning? The saying 'three score and a ten' is an archaic, uncommon way to phrase the number seventy. This post looks at the meaning, origin and use of this saying.
Meaning
The phrase 'three score and a ten' is a less common saying in English that is used as a way to indicate the number seventy (70) as a phrase.
When someone says 'three score and a ten' it is just a longer way to say seventy.
The phrase 'three score and a ten' can be used to refer to seventy of anything.
The phrase can be used both as a statement and a conversation.
The phrase is more common in UK English than American or Australian, and the phrase is considered an older saying that someone might be more likely to encounter in writing from decades ago.
Saying 'three score and a ten' has remained common in use through the United Kingdom, where it has been used since more or less the Middle Ages to refer to seventy.
The original and earliest meaning of the phrase had more to do with the measurement of someone's lifespan. Later use of the phrase would include its use to measure anything else.
The phrase has been used as a reference in popular culture.
It is not a common phrase in other languages.
Example Usage
“They wanted to know just how many beer glasses we were going to need for the party at the pub. We guessed about three score and a ten, and we were short for glasses halfway through the night.”
“I wonder how many times my father has been to jail by now. It must be at least three score and a ten.”
“I guess that if you had a band in the eighties, you might have as many kids as three score and a ten. Wouldn't that be something?”
“Three score and a ten. That's how many pairs of underwear we found hidden under his bed at the end of spring break, and we have no idea what we could have done to end up with a son like this.”
Origin
The origin of the phrase 'threescore and a ten' is agreed to be the Middle Ages, likely throughout areas in Europe where English was the most common.
The phrase 'threescore and a ten' was first used to indicate seventy, though referring to someone's age of lifespan. Modern use of the phrase would change (from at least the 1700s) to include the count of anything to mean seventy.
Saying 'three score and a ten' became common use in English, and the phrase still sees use in some regional versions of English.
Phrases Similar to Three Score and a Ten
- Seventy
Phrases Opposite to Three Score and a Ten
- N/a
What is the Correct Saying?
- Threescore and a ten
- Threescore and ten
- Three score and a ten
- Three score and ten
Ways People May Say Three Score and a Ten Incorrectly
There are several ways in which someone can use the phrase 'three score and a ten' in the wrong way, or not understand the meaning of the phrase when it is said.
The phrase would not be valid as 'three scores and a ten' as it would change the meaning of the sentence, and render an incorrect saying.
Someone could also not use the phrase as 'three scores and [a] tens' as it would be valid.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Three Score and a Ten
There are several ways in which someone can use the phrase 'three score and a ten' for a valid phrase to mean seventy.