Know Your English (Aug 2001)

Know your English

What is the meaning and origin of the expression "Can't hold a candle to someone"?

When you say that someone cannot hold a candle to you, what you are implying is that the other person is not equal to you; he/she is in fact inferior to you. The expression can be used with things as well. Here are a few examples.
*As a teacher, Satish can't hold a candle to Atul.
*According to Manaswini, no pop group can hold a candle to the Beatles.*Naveen thinks he's a wonderful sitar player. The poor guy doesn't realise that he can't hold a candle to Shravan when it comes to playing the sitar.
This is one of those expressions, which has been around for several hundred years. Before the days of electricity, it was common practice to light candles after the sun went down. Since street lighting was almost non-existent, the fairly well to do had servants who followed them everywhere carrying a candle. It was also possible to hire "linkboys". These boys carried with them lanterns and candles and they provided the necessary light for the people going from one part of the town to another. Since the servants and the linkboys were looked down upon by the masters, the expression "can't hold a candle to someone" began to mean someone who is inferior.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, August 21, 2001