sir roger de coverley: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowLiterary / Historical / Specialised
Quick answer
What does “sir roger de coverley” mean?
The name of a fictional English country gentleman created by Joseph Addison and Richard Steele in the 18th century.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The name of a fictional English country gentleman created by Joseph Addison and Richard Steele in the 18th century.
A character representing benevolent, old-fashioned Tory ideals; also, a traditional English country dance named after the character.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is known in both cultures but has greater cultural resonance in the UK due to its roots in English literary and folk traditions.
Connotations
UK: Evokes a specific historical/literary period and traditional English folk culture. US: Primarily a historical/literary reference, less connected to living folk traditions.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general modern usage in both regions. Slightly more likely to be encountered in UK contexts related to historical dance or 18th-century literature.
Grammar
How to Use “sir roger de coverley” in a Sentence
Proper noun used in apposition: '...danced the Sir Roger de Coverley.'Possessive form: 'Sir Roger de Coverley's benign nature was legendary.'Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sir roger de coverley” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They decided to sir-roger-de-coverley the evening away.
adjective
British English
- He had a distinctly Sir-Roger-de-Coverley air about him.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in literary criticism, historical studies of the 18th century, and ethnomusicology/dance history.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be mentioned at traditional English folk dance events or in historical discussion.
Technical
Specific term in English folk dance terminology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sir roger de coverley”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sir roger de coverley”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sir roger de coverley”
- Misspelling as 'Sir Roger de Coverly' or 'Sir Roger de Coverley'.
- Confusing the dance with the character.
- Assuming it is a real historical knight.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, he is a fictional character created by Joseph Addison and Richard Steele for their periodical 'The Spectator' in the early 18th century.
It is a traditional English country dance, often performed as a longways set dance for as many couples as will, and frequently associated with festive occasions like Christmas.
No, it is an extremely low-frequency term, confined to discussions of 18th-century English literature or traditional English folk dance.
It is pronounced /ˈkʌvəli/ (CUV-er-lee), with the stress on the first syllable.
The name of a fictional English country gentleman created by Joseph Addison and Richard Steele in the 18th century.
Sir roger de coverley is usually literary / historical / specialised in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As whimsical as Sir Roger de Coverley.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'Sir Roger' COVERS the LEY (field) with a merry dance.
Conceptual Metaphor
TRADITION IS A DANCE; BENEVOLENCE IS OLD-FASHIONED.
Practice
Quiz
Sir Roger de Coverley is primarily known as...