+30 Fast Asleep? Why is a measure of speed used for someone being completely asleep. amirite?

by Donatomacejkovi 1 week ago

Fast also means: firmly fixed in place; not easily moved; securely attached. That is the meaning that is used in fast asleep, ie they are firmly asleep.

by Difficult-Brief 1 week ago

Thus the word "fasten."

by melodykiehn 1 week ago

Exactly. Fasten - too make faster. Like quicken.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Well if you say a rope is holding fast you do not really mean the rope is holding quickly.

by Maximeschamberg 1 week ago

In Dutch we have a similar expression that is likely etymologically related: vast in slaap. Vast in this case does not mean fast or quick (actually it never means that in Dutch) but rather it means something like firm, fixed or unmoveable.

by Anonymous 1 week ago

If someone is "fast asleep," It's not about speed or a leap. The "fast" is quite old, And means firm, we are told, A deep slumber, silent and deep. Fast, in this context, holds firm, Like holding on tight, short or long term. Not swift, but secure, In this sense, it's sure, An idiom that won't squirm.

by Brilliant-Use5171 1 week ago

Read that in a Bill Kurtis voice lol. Thx!

by Anonymous 1 week ago

Fast as in firm, not speed :)

by Anonymous 1 week ago