E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Mesopota’mia.
The true “Mesopota’mia” ring (London Review)—i.e. something high-sounding and pleasing, but wholly past comprehension. The allusion is to the story of an old woman who told her pastor that she “found great support in that comfortable word Mesopotamia.”
