Obs. A proverbial phrase for fair words or flattery without performance or sincere intention. Also called court-water and court-element: see COURT sb.1 19.
1583. Golding, Calvin on Deut., lxxiii. 448. Although some fayre promises be made them, all is but holy water of the Court as they terme it.
1598. Florio, Mantellizare, to flatter, to giue one court holie water [1611 to court one with faire words].
1605. Shaks., Lear, III. ii. 10. O Nunkle, Court holy-water in a dry house, is better than this Rain-water out o’ doore.
1643. Prynne, Sov. Power Parl., App. 36. All this Court Holy-Water was onely to keep every Bird within his owne nest.
1649. Milton, Eikon., xv. (1851), 450. He … thinks that Court holy water hath the vertue of expiation.
1655. Fuller, Ch. Hist., VIII. i. § 6. Her unperformed promise was the first court holy water which she sprinkled amongst the people.
