Low and Behold - Origin?

Posted by David FG October 18, 2004In reply to Low and Behold - Origin? posted by Torsten on October 18, 2004

Hello everbody,

Who can tell me something about the origin of 'Low and Behold'? I understand it's a phrase expressing surprise but why is 'low' and why 'behold'?
Thanks in advance
Torsten

It's actually 'Lo and behold'. Lo is slightly archaic for 'look' and 'behold' for 'see' (or the like) so means something like 'look, see!'

DFG