[General] pay the debt of nature

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to tell me whether the phrase in bold in the following sentence is common in your area?

“Paddy?” says Alf.
“Ay” says Joe. “He paid the debt of nature. God be merciful to him.” (J.Joyce’ “Ulysses”)

pay the debt of nature = die

Thanks for your efforts.

Regards,

V

 

[2006]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to tell me whether the phrase in bold in the following sentence is common in your area? Actually, I am not sure I ever heard that saying before.

“Paddy?” says Alf.
“Ay” says Joe. “He paid the debt of nature. God be merciful to him.” (J.Joyce’ “Ulysses”)

pay the debt of nature = die That would be my guess.

Thanks for your efforts.

Regards,

V

2006

 

[Rover_KE]

It's not common to my area, either.

I've never heard it before.

Rover

 

[stanislaw.masny]

Hi, Vil,
That phrase and similar ones you can find in 'Early American Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases' by Bartlett Jere Whitting. They confirm your view in relation to the quoted fragment of Ulyssess.
Congratulation! You are reading the very difficult work.
S.M.

 

[vil]

Hi stanislaw.masny,

Thank you for your encouraging words. Thank you also for the new for me source of knowledge.

I went off the deep end when I become aware that someone thinks me an Afro-Bulgarian or an untaught barbarian with curt and unbridled tongue.

Have it their way, I’ll try to be soft as butter henceforth in their presence. I’m obliged to knuckle under the masters of the situation.

Regards,

V.