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Citation Information
How to Cite
Manser, Martin H. "alarums and excursions." Writer's Reference Center. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 17 Apr. 2025. <http://fofweb.infobase.com/wrc/Detail.aspx?iPin=DOA00068>.
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alarums and excursions

Pronunciation pronunciation key
ălahrămz

Definition 
Chaos and disorder. The origin of the phrase lies in Elizabethan theater scripts, which might include such a stage direction to indicate noise offstage to simulate the sound of battle or other frenetic activity. The archaic word "alarum" was a variant of "alarm," while "excursion" signified a military assault on an enemy. "It was only a bit of acting, however, for Duke was an old dog, had suffered much, and desired no unnecessary sorrow, wherefore he confined his demonstrations to alarums and excursions, and presently sat down at a distance and expressed himself by intermittent threatenings in a quavering falsetto" (Booth Tarkington, Penrod, 1914).

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