The idiom “chapter and verse” originated in the 1600s when the Bible was the authority on all matters. It means to back up a statement with precise facts and details, citing an authoritative reference. The phrase is now used to describe someone’s expert knowledge on a subject and where the authority supporting that knowledge is posted. Another related idiom is “according to the book,” which refers to taking action according to authoritative instructions.
The phrase “chapter and verse” is an old English saying meaning that a speaker or writer is able to back up a statement or opinion with precise facts and details and can cite an authority reference or recognized expert on the subject. subject. The phrase is sometimes used as “to cite chapters and verses.” In this case, the speaker or writer cites the law, rule, or scripture supporting the statement and provides a reference, such as page number, so listeners or readers can check the source to make sure it is as declared the speaker or writer .
The “chapter and verse” idiom dates back to the 1600s. During this time in Britain, the Bible was regarded as the authority on all matters. By this time, the Bible had been organized into chapters and verses to help readers and students find passages of scripture and cite passages. A speaker or writer would support a statement by quoting a verse and then quoting the Bible book where it was found, along with chapter and verse numbers.
Probably coming into literal use around 1620, the phrase is used in 17th-century writings to literally ask for biblical authority in backing up a statement. It passed into figurative use from the 17th century. In the 19th century, most people would have understood that in asking for chapters and verses, a speaker was asking an authoritative source to back up the information.
In modern usage, the idiom is not often used to mean a reference to scripture, but is more likely to be used to describe someone’s expert knowledge of a subject and where the authority that can support that knowledge is posted. If two people disagree on an issue, one person can ask the other to provide the chapter and verse that support that opinion. The person might ask for a Biblical reference, but she is more likely to ask for an accepted reference from a secular authoritative source, assuming the discussion is not religious in nature.
A related idiom is “according to the book,” which also refers to the Bible as the supreme authority. The phrase “according to the book” came into use at about the same time as “chapter and verse” and refers to taking action according to Bible instructions. Today, this idiom can be used to refer to action as instructed by any authoritative source.
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