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See ROME (not Naples) and die

Posted by Ann on January 01, 2004

The exchanges at the end of November re "See Rome/Naples and die" are very interesting, but I want to know when and how Rome was substituted for Naples in this phrase. "See ROME and die" is a well known expression in the UK. There is even a web site that uses this in its title, although it gives no clue as to the origin of the phrase. So if Goethe is truly the source of the phrase re Naples, who corrupted the saying, when and why ??

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