E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Bran-new or Brand-new.
(Anglo-Saxon, brand, a torch.) Fire new. Shakespeare, in Love’s Labour Lost, i. 1, says, “A man of fire-new words.” And again in Twelfth Night, iii. 2, “Fire-new from the mint”; and again in King Lear, v. 3, “Fire-new fortune”; and again in Richard III., act i. 3, “Your fire-new stamp of honour is scarce current.” Originally applied to metals and things manufactured in metal which shine. Subsequently applied generally to things quite new.
