Hi everyone.
I came across an expression that I can't wrap my head around while reading a book titled "The Arabian Nights in Transnational Perspective", edited by Ulrich Marzolph.
So, my questions are:
- am I correct in assuming the expression to mean "date back", "stretch back" or similar?
- is the expression commonly used as a set phrase with a figurative meaning? Or did the author simply extend its literal meaning to a figurative one?
Thank you beforehand.
I came across an expression that I can't wrap my head around while reading a book titled "The Arabian Nights in Transnational Perspective", edited by Ulrich Marzolph.
I understand "arch back to" to mean "date back to" in this context, but was only able to find results referring to the literal meaning of the verb "to arch (back)", i.e. to make the shape of an arch.While arching back to ancient Indian tradition, the collection probably originated at some unknown period in Sassanian Iran under the title of [...] "A Thousand Tales" [...]
So, my questions are:
- am I correct in assuming the expression to mean "date back", "stretch back" or similar?
- is the expression commonly used as a set phrase with a figurative meaning? Or did the author simply extend its literal meaning to a figurative one?
Thank you beforehand.