Where Did The Phrase The British Are Coming Come From?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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N. S. Dodge's Stories of American History Teaching Lessons of Patriotism , published in Boston in 1879, has Paul Revere telling a sergeant guarding the parsonage at Lexington, “you will have noise enough before long; the British are coming.” Thus the phrase got into Revere's own mouth, and into a schoolbook.

How did Paul Revere know that the British were coming?

Paul Revere arranged to have a signal lit in the Old North Church – one lantern if the British were coming by land and two lanterns if they were coming by sea – and began to make preparations for his ride to alert the local militias and citizens about the impending attack.

Why did Paul Revere say the British are coming?

Paul Revere never shouted the legendary phrase later attributed to him (“The British are coming!”) as he passed from town to town. The operation was meant to be conducted as discreetly as possible since scores of British troops were hiding out in the Massachusetts countryside.

Did Paul Revere actually yell the British are coming?

Paul Revere never shouted the legendary phrase later attributed to him (“The British are coming!”) as he passed from town to town. The operation was meant to be conducted as discreetly as possible since scores of British troops were hiding out in the Massachusetts countryside.

Who really warned the British are coming?

Thanks to the epic poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Paul Revere is often credited as the sole rider who alerted the colonies that the British were coming.

What did Paul Revere yell when the British were coming?

“Noise!” cried Revere, “You'll have noise enough before long. The regulars are coming out! ” At this point, Revere still had difficulty gaining entry until, according to tradition, John Hancock, who was still awake, heard his voice and said “Come in, Revere!

What did they actually say instead of the British are coming?

Paul Revere was a silversmith in colonial Boston. He's famous for his midnight ride to warn about the British troops who were poised to attack. He is thought to have shouted along the way “ The British are coming, the British are coming! ” though the anecdotal story has no real basis in history.

How old is Paul Revere?

Last Years

Revere died of natural causes on May 10, 1818 at the age of 83 , leaving five children, several grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren. The son of an immigrant artisan, not born to wealth or inheritance, Revere died a modestly well-to-do businessman and a popular local figure of some note.

What American general turned traitor and joined the British?

Benedict Arnold (1741-1801) was an early American hero of the Revolutionary War (1775-83) who later became one of the most infamous traitors in U.S. history after he switched sides and fought for the British.

What bad luck did Paul Revere have after leaving Lexington?

What bad luck did Paul Revere have after leaving Lexington? A Redcoat shot at him. A British Patrol spotted him and took away his horse.

Is Paul Revere's Ride historically accurate?

Though based on historic events, the poem should be read as a myth or tale , not as a historical account. Many historians have dissected the poem since 1860 and compared it to Revere's account of the ride in his own words and other historic evidence.

Did the British shoot first?

The militiamen hustled to Concord's North Bridge, which was being defended by a contingent of British soldiers. The British fired first but fell back when the colonists returned the volley. This was the “shot heard 'round the world” later immortalized by poet Ralph Waldo Emerson.

WHO warned Paul Revere that the British were coming?

As the British departed, Boston Patriots Paul Revere and William Dawes set out on horseback from the city to warn Adams and Hancock and rouse the Minutemen.

How long was Paul Revere's ride?

From there, he rode west to where it becomes Medford Street and then joins Massachusetts Avenue (in modern Arlington), which he then took up to Lexington. Revere's total distance was about 12.5 miles .

Did Paul Revere see one or two lanterns?

Late in the evening of April 18, 1775, Paul Revere got word that the British were about to set out on a raid of the Provincial Congress' military supplies stockpiled in Concord. He ordered fellow Patriots to set two lighted lanterns in the belfry of Boston's Christ Church (Old North Church).

What does the British are coming mean?

Filters . A warning that enemies are about and a battle is about to begin . phrase. A statement of impending doom.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.