Set store by

Posted by Smokey Stover October 02, 2005In reply to Set store by posted by Marilyn Whiteman on September 30, 2005

What's the origin of the phrase "to set store by" or "to set store in"?

Perhaps you can get something from this passage in the OED: "to set at no price, store, or value. [example cited:] 1413 in 26 Pol. Poems 51 {Th}ou{ygh} all here gold were hider brou{ygh}t, I wolde set hit at lytel store." Or: "Though all her gold were hither brought I would set it at little store [price, value]." Pretty old expression. SS