"Learn it off by heart."

Posted by James Briggs on July 15, 2005

In Reply to: "Learn it off by heart." posted by Colin on July 15, 2005

: Does anyone know where and how the phrase "Learn it off by heart."originated?

The heart is classically regarded at the seat of feeling, thought, etc. Thus, if you learnt something so well that you could repeat it, it was then taken up by your 'heart'.
The 'learn off' bit is obscure and I, too, find this puzzling. Others may have answers.

• "Learn it off by heart." ESC 15/July/05