bold as brass = selbstbewusst; rotzfrech, frech wie Oskar
brass (metal) = Messing
STATISTICS
IN THE PRESS
BOLD AS BRASS, the thieves entered Graffs Jewellery Salon in New Bond Street, London. In just three minutes they broke into two cabinets, bundled £23m worth of jewels into a bag, and fled. Although arrested a few weeks later, most of the jewels were never recovered.
The Daily Telegraph
Did you know?
bold as brass idiom
- with extreme confidence or without the respect or politeness people usually show:
http://dictionary.cambridge.org
- In a brash, arrogant, or pushy manner.
http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com
- describing someone who is not afraid at all, or exudes extreme confidence
Merriam-Webster
--- ETYMOLOGY
There are two theories regarding the origin of this phrase:
(1) Referring to the Lord Mayor of London in the 1770s, Brass Crosby. He boldly challenged the authorities by supporting the printing of a pamphlet regarding the proceedings of Parliament.
(2) Brass is a shiny, hard metal that has often been thought cheap and vulgar, a debased or pretentious rival to gold.
No one knows for sure. Maybe there's truth in both.