The word “Darby and Joan” is a famous phrase, which refers to an old husband and wife who are devoted to each other and living a happy quiet life. This phrase has widely associated with the concept of love and simple domestic happiness of two people who have been living together all their years. It brings ideas of togetherness, having fun, and love that remain strong after many years.
Meaning of “Darby and Joan”
“Darby and Joan” is a term that is used to refer to old people who are nicely passing their last days in marriage. The phrase is often used to depict elderly couples who are faithful to each other, devoted and obedient. It is often used to refer to a couple, who despite various challenges and difficulties of life have remained together and have not lost the incredible feeling towards each other.
There is sweet discourse regarding the term that portrays the value of living a basic life with a caring spouse. It evokes images of order, home, marriage and support, where two adults take pleasure in the companionship of each other.
This expression may also be used in the broader sense to refer any stable and mutually beneficial relationship that may not necessarily be a romantic relationship. Perhaps, it will be used to refer to friends, siblings, or any two people who have a strong and long-standing relationship.
Origin of “Darby and Joan”
The origin of the phrase “Darby and Joan” can be traced back to Great Britain in the beginning of eighteenth century. It refers to an elderly couple leading to faded domestic life. The origin of this term is believed to be based on a real couple, though their exact identities have been subject to some debate over the years.
The most popular version is associated with John Darby, a printer from Bartholomew Close in London, and his wife Joan, who were depicted as two people in love.
The popularization of the phrase can be traced back to 1735 when Henry Woodfall, an apprentice to John Darby, is credited with writing a ballad titled “The Joys of Love Never Forgot: A Song”.
The ballad presents the enduring love of couple, asserting that Darby and Joan is a happy old couple after marriage. The ballad was published over the next few years in various newspapers and magazines, sometimes as an anonymous piece of work or under the pseudonym of some other authors.
It became even more popular when another British newspaper, the St. James’s Chronicle newspaper included a different version of the ballad in the same year 1760.
By the second half of the 18th century ‘Darby and Joan’ had entrenched itself in literature and the cultural imagination as the epitome of the happy elderly couple.
The phrase became popular and was used to create societies for the elderly people during the twentieth century in form of the Darby and Joan Clubs. These clubs were accepted in the UK and aimed as offering social interaction and company for elderly people.
The fact that such a phrase as “Darby and Joan” has become firmly rooted in language and culture is a testament to the timeless desire for a marital happiness.
There are other theories that suggest that Darby comes from ‘Derby’, a type of coarse cloth or that Joan is the name of a common woman, but these theories are less plausible than the John and Joan Darby story. It is still used by contemporary British English speakers and carries connotations of domestic bliss in later years as a sweet reminder of tender love.
Use of “Darby and Joan” in Literature
The phrase “Darby and Joan” has been used in the literature in romantic aspects, which depicts the strong characters of love and partnership. At the same time, it exposes the themes like aging at home, domesticity and time.
The phrase has been used by the authors to describe a pair of characters who are loyal and devoted to one another, maybe even a little too much, with an element of reminiscence. Following are some examples, wherein this particular phrase has been used:
Example#1
“Barnaby Rudge” by Charles Dickens
“At these times they spoke a little of their future plans, and projected an excursion together—Darby and Joan-like—to some quiet old spot…”
The author uses the term “Darby and Joan” to present the peaceful nature of plans of the couple. By using this term, Dickens implies that both are dreaming of a life of harmony as an old married couple, which justifies their portrayal as Darby and Joan, the typical aged couple.
Example#2
“Can You Forgive Her?” by Anthony Trollope
“But she did not think that it would ever come to that with her and George—that they should sit together like Darby and Joan.”
The character presents by Trollope indicates the notion of living out a life of peaceful old age with a partner, much like Darby and Joan. The phrase denotes a picture of home comfort, whereby the speaker is not too sure will apply to them.
Example#3
“Far from the Madding Crowd” by Thomas Hardy
“They were a regular Darby and Joan as they walked hand in hand through the lanes, with a placid endurance of each other’s company.”
Here, the author illustrates the daily life of an old man and woman, as well as their devotion for each other, which indicates “Darby and Joan”. The phrase has been used to describe the passive and supportive nature of the association of the couple. It also focuses on the lengthy duration of the couple’s partnership.
Example#4
“The Forsyte Saga” by John Galsworthy
“He found them like Darby and Joan by the fire, quietly contented with each other and the world at large.”
In the passage, Galsworthy uses “Darby and Joan” to stress on the couple’s happy and fulfilled life. The phrase implies that both are comfortable, have made peace with, and accepted their longevity of being together, like the two senior citizens of a couple.
Example#5
“The Razor’s Edge” by W. Somerset Maugham
“It was all very Darby and Joan. They were devoted to one another, and though their life was as humdrum as possible, they seemed perfectly happy with it.”
The phrase “Darby and Joan” has been used in this excerpt literally, which refers to an old couple living their ordinary but loving life that brings a sense of comfort and peace. The phrase emphasizes the fact that even if they don’t have many thrilling events in their lives, the two are content with each other and the monotony of their existence.
See also: Damp Squib Meaning & Examples
Use of “Darby and Joan” in Modern Contexts
The phrase “Darby and Joan” remains popular to this day and can be applied to contemporary European associations as well, for example, elderly couples that remained loyal and loving to each other all the years. The term is also used in all the spoken dialects, in media and other facets of daily life even in social commentary.
In Everyday Conversation
In every communication, “Darby and Joan” refers to old couple, who are still happy in their love and strongly attached to each other. For example, the phrase, “They’re like a Darby and Joan”, describes a couple who have been married for many years and still are devoted to each other.
It can also be used to compliment couples that have been together for a long time regardless of the odds hence a stand of loyalty. It evokes a sense of nostalgia for a time when relationships were built on enduring love and mutual respect.
In Popular Culture
The phrase “Darby and Joan” has become a part of popular culture. People use it in songs, films and television programs that depict elderly couple happiness in marriage. It is used in an effort to describe the positive sentiment of a home, love, happiness and other positive sentiments which come as a result of being in a committed relationship.
For example, in a romantic movie, a character may use “Darby and Joan” to depict a strong and beautiful relationship of an old couple. The given phrase can also refer to music where singers or rappers may use it in lyrics to illustrate the happiness in the unity of two individuals getting old together.
See also: Curiosity Killed The Cat
In Social Commentary
In social commentary, “Darby and Joan” is employed to depict, praise or condemn social outlooks to aging, marriage and friendship. The above phrase may be used to portray the shift in the concept of the contemporary society regarding the relationship as not being constant or one that is supported as before.
For example, an article touching on issues of contemporary relationships, may refer “Darby and Joan” as an example of a successfully realized dream of a couple despite all difficulties of everyday life. This phrase is perhaps more meaningful today than ever before, as people continue to shift their focus on materialistic things while forgetting that there is still value in loyalty and love.
