E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Roast.
To rule the roast. To have the chief direction; to be paramount.
1
It is usually thought that “roast” in this phrase means roost, and that the reference is to a cock who decides which hen is to roost nearest to him; but the subjoined quotation favours the idea of “council.”
2
“John, Duke of Burgoyne, ruled the rost, and governed both King Charles … and his whole realme.”—Hall: Union (1548).
It is usually thought that “roast” in this phrase means roost, and that the reference is to a cock who decides which hen is to roost nearest to him; but the subjoined quotation favours the idea of “council.”
