The phrase “a rolling stone gathers no moss” has had two opposing meanings over time. Originally, it meant staying in one place was beneficial, but now it suggests success depends on action and change. The phrase’s meaning has reversed with societal changes, and it is now associated with ambition and movement. The metaphor remains the same, representing the passage of time and space.
The phrase “a rolling stone gathers no moss” has had two opposing meanings during its centuries of use in the English language. The former, and traditional, usage indicates that it is desirable or profitable to remain in one place, while the more modern meaning suggests that success depends on action and a sort of metaphorical, if not physical, transience. This long idiom is an example of a “commonplace,” or simple illustration, of a value judgment. This specific idiom also has the distinction of having had its meaning reversed according to the general changes in society.
Many attribute the origin of the phrase to ancient philosophers, such as Erasmus or another writer named Publius Siro. In its original meaning, the phrase implied that “moss” is good and beneficial and that an individual should remain grounded or rooted in one place to thrive. Conversely, those who did not follow this platitude earned themselves derogatory titles such as the common “loser” and later “gadabout”.
As English-speaking society evolved, especially with the rise of America, the meaning of “a rolling stone gathers no moss” began to change dramatically. It has been associated with the opposite idea that success depends not on stagnation, but on ambition and proactive efforts. This has led to the more common use of the phrase as it stands today, as a suggestion that, indeed, travel and change are good for an individual or a business.
Part of the new appeal of movement and transience in the modern age can be seen in two of the most prominent uses of the shorter phrase “rolling stone”. The first is the important modern rock band, the Rolling Stones, who achieved worldwide fandom in the late twentieth century. Second is the use of the name by the high-profile music and culture magazine, Rolling Stone, which has produced top-notch reporting, not just into music, but American current affairs and politics.
In both uses of the phrase “a rolling stone gathers no moss,” the metaphor remains the same. The stone represents the passage of an individual or group through time and space. Many who use it in a modern context may not understand its ancient traditional usage, but the direct metaphorical meaning is still evident.
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