E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Chalk and Cheese.
I know the difference between chalk and cheese. Between what is worthless and what is valuable, between a counterfeit and a real article. Of course, the resemblance of chalk to cheese has something to do with the saying, and the alliteration helps to popularise it.
1
“This Scotch scarecrow was no more to be compared to him than chalk was to cheese”—Sir W. Scott: Woodstock, xxiv.
I cannot make chalk of one and cheese of the other. I must treat both alike; I must show no favouritism.
2
They are no more like than chalk is like cheese. There may be a slight apparent resemblance, but there is no real likeness.
