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Question: What does the phrase OLD LACE in Arsenic and Old Lace mean!?
I understand it will somehow mean old ladies, ie the two murderous women in the play!. But how come this expression!? What is the background to this phrase, if any!? Or is it purely the playwright's invention!?Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Some think it refers to the ladies age!.

But others say it is a turn on the saying lavender and old lace!. How much of a reference to the play/novel, I'm not sure!. But in the vernacular lavender and old lace came to reference the gentility of (usually) a widowed or unmarried spinster!. Her home being over-decorated with touches of lace doilies, lace curtains, (lavendar) flowers in vases!. So, in this situation, the two spinster sisters have the touches of the overdecorated home, but the lavender has been replaced with arsenic in the wine!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It's a reference to old ladies, Victorian style, delicacy, femininity, and generally old-fashioned style!. Direct contrast to the Arsenic in the title!.Www@QuestionHome@Com