Needs Must. We all say it or think it, don't we? I just thought it a few minutes ago upon considering that I might have to do something that not only would be forced to do something that I would hope to avoid and that, in doing it, I would likely need to make the second best choice because that is what would work best overall.
Don't ask.
However, it was only recently that I came across the original full phrase in a novel: "Needs must when the devil drives." Google AI explains it thusly: "You have no choice but to do something difficult or unpleasant because your current situation forces you to do it."
I see the full saying as just a little bit more nuanced than the "Needs must" that we all commonly say.
Further information that, apparently, was posted on Tumblr. I do not know how to get to the original post to cite it correctly, but it seems that gloriascott93 reposted from cupidford.
The phrase is old. In earlier texts it is almost always given in its fuller form - needs must when the devil drives. that is, if the devil is driving you, you have no choice. This dates back to Middle English texts, for example Assembly of Gods, circa 1500: “He must nedys go that the deuell dryues.”
Shakespeare used the phrase several times; for example, in All’s Well That Ends Well, 1601:
Countess: Tell me thy reason why thou wilt marry.
Clown: My poor body, madam, requires it: I am driven on by the flesh; and he must needs go that the devil drives.The phrase became pared down to needs must during the 20th century and, even in that short form, it is rather archaic-sounding and is fading from popular use. This despite a high-profile appearance on TV in Blackadder II, 1985: “Needs must when the devil vomits into your kettle.”
Well, who knew?!
ReplyDeleteI’ve never actually heard that saying before. But I’m sure I’ll remember it now.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea. Love tidbits like these!
ReplyDeleteI recently used that phrase, not knowing the devil part of it. Now I tend to not believe there is a devil at all, so I shall have to consider what alternative energies might be at work. Opposites are like the magnetic energies, in my way of thinking, just poles of the same force.
ReplyDeleteI think we are permitted to take the devil metaphorically. 😎
DeleteI had ni idea. Thank you for sharing. ❤️
ReplyDeleteI never think of "needs must" as being a negative, just some sort of obligation. I never knew that the devil was driving!
ReplyDeleteI've not heard this before! Any phrase with devil in it is usually a standout. Dance with the devil being a favorite.
ReplyDeleteI too am of the group that had never heard of the “Needs Must” phrase previously. I will now remember it. It is a pleasant “shorthand” way to say “Oh, man…. this is something I really need to do.” which I DO say often.
ReplyDeletePipeTobacco
I am familiar with this but don’t know that I have used it. There are a few needs must in my life.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time I've heard that.
ReplyDeleteA fine old saying!
ReplyDeleteI thought my mother was the queen of old-timey sayings but I never heard this, ever. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteFirst time for me too.
ReplyDeleteI have never said it but have heard of it.
ReplyDeleteI find this very interesting and have always enjoyed the origins of words and quotes. I remember hearing it when I was growing up. Parents, grandparents, that kind of thing.
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