Hello All,
I am looking for the origin of the expression, "Idle hands are the devils
playground". The best I have is:
For Satan finds some mischief still
For idle hands to do
By Isaac Watts (1674-1748) in his book DIVINE SONGS For Children (1715),
Chapter AGAINST IDLENESS AND MISCHIEF
There is also a reference for "The devil finds work for idle hands to do"
which is credit as a proverb to Watts.
But no version including playground. I have checked many quote books and
slang dictionaries, and I even took a squint at the OED with an inadequate
magnifying glass to no avail. Can anyone on the list help me? Thanks.
Ken Jacowitz