英语词汇fill the bill的起源、历史背景-英语词源词典

fill the bill. Theatrical companies in the 19th century adver- tised mainly on posters and handbills that were distributed in towns by advance men several weeks before a show came to town. The name of the troupe’s star performer was featured on these bills in large letters, to the exclusion of the rest of the company—he or she filled the bill, was the show’s star. Soon the vivid image behind this theatrical expression meaning “to star” came to encompass a more complex, broader thought, and by 1860 to fill the bill meant “to be very competent, effective, to do all that is desired, expected, or required.”

词汇	fill the bill
词源	fill the bill. Theatrical companies in the 19th century adver- tised mainly on posters and handbills that were distributed in towns by advance men several weeks before a show came to town. The name of the troupe’s star performer was featured on these bills in large letters, to the exclusion of the rest of the company—he or she filled the bill, was the show’s star. Soon the vivid image behind this theatrical expression meaning “to star” came to encompass a more complex, broader thought, and by 1860 to fill the bill meant “to be very competent, effective, to do all that is desired, expected, or required.”
随便看	you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow-s ear you can’t win ’em all you could have heard a pin drop you couldn’t detect my interest with a high-powered telescope you don’t have money give yourself volunteer you don’t want to go there you furnish the pictures and i’ll furnish the war you gotta believe you have money give money you have the words but you don’t have the music you know it makes one feel rather good deciding not to be a bitch you might as well appeal against the thunderstorm you never miss the water till the well runs dry youngberry young folk of the pear garden young in at heart young turk young whippersnapper you pays your money and you take your choice your all-s your epitaph your majesty yourself youse you should see the other guy