gay science

English

Etymology

Calque of Provençal gai saber.

Noun

the gay science

1. (dated) The art of poetry.
   • 1720, Pierre Daniel Huet, “Monsieur Huet's Letter upon the Original of Romances”, in A Select Collection of Novels, London: John Watts, page xlii:

     For the Normans, as well as the reſt, were Dabblers in The Gay Science; and we learn from Hiſtory that they ſung the Exploits of Roland juſt before they began that memorable Battle wherein William the Baſtard got the Crown of England.

   • 1874, George William Cox, chapter XI, in The Crusades, New York: Scribner, Armstrong & Co., page 192:

     The Norman had here laid aside some of his northern roughness, and become and apt disciple of the gay science in which Frederick had won a foremost place.

See also

• dismal science

Further reading

• Consistori del Gay Saber on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• gay science on Wikipedia.Wikipedia