Did your partner tell you 'variety is the spice of life' when choosing a restaurant for dinner? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The expression 'variety is the spice of life' means you need to change up your stimulus to receive an enhanced impression of life and its sensory inputs. New and exciting practices add more value to your life than doing the same mundane things day in and day out.
The more diversity you have in your diet, activities, and work, the more your worldview expands. When you have a bigger worldview, you have more life experience. 'Variety is the spice of life' means you enjoy trying new things.
Example Usage
"We need to do something different this weekend. I'm tired of going to the same places every time. Variety is the spice of life. Let's do something else for fun."
"Let's change up our watering hole for a few weeks. This place is getting boring, and I need a change of pace. Variety is the spice of life, don't you know?"
"What do you mean we're going to Georgio's for dinner again? That's the second time this week. I love the place, but variety is the spice of life."
"Let's not kill that ice cream flavor. Could you change it to something else? Variety is the spice of life, and I think we need a change from the rocky road."
"My dad told me variety is the spice of life, and he's right. That's why I never keep the same girlfriend for more than a week."
"I know variety is the spice of life, but I like my routine. I've eaten cheese pizza for dinner every night for the last ten years, and I love it."
"Variety is the spice of life? I don't think so. You can keep that cocktail away from me. I'll stick with the whiskey, thanks."
"Sure, variety is the spice of life, but I'm fine with eating chicken, broccoli, and rice six times a day. It gives me what I need to fuel my body."
Origin
The expression 'variety is the spice of life' originates from the first century B.C. The first iteration of the saying leading to the modern phrase comes from the work of Publilius Syrus, 'Maxim 406.'
"No pleasure endures unseasoned by variety."
The phrase would change to "The joy of life is variety" in the book 'The Idler,' written by Samuel Johnson in 1758.
William Cowper gets the credit for coining the modern expression in his work, 'The Task,' written in 1785. It appears as "Variety's the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavor."
Phrases Similar to Variety is the Spice of Life
- Change it up.
- Do something different.
Phrases Opposite to Variety is the Spice of Life
- Same old.
- Nothing new.
- Stale and boring.
What is the Correct Saying?
- Variety is the spice of life.
Ways People May Say Variety is the Spice of Life Incorrectly
The phrase 'variety is the spice of life' has nothing to do with spices. 'Variety' refers to a different selection of choices you usually receive in your daily routine. 'The 'spice' refers to the excitement you feel when trying something new.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Variety is the Spice of Life
You can use 'variety is the spice of life' in text-based communications and verbal exchanges. You'll use the term to tell someone they're missing out on life experiences due to their narrow worldview. The expression suits social and professional use. Use it at home to tell your partner you need to change what you eat for dinner because you feel bored with your usual food choices.
Use it with friends when you want to break your normal routine and do something different on the weekend. 'Variety is the spice of life' refers to changing things so they don't feel stale, keeping things fresh in your life experience.