Grandfather's old axe
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Grandfather's old axe is a colloquial expression describing something of which little original remains: "it's had three new heads and four new handles but it's still the same old axe." The phrase has also been used in banter as in: "This is George Washington's original axe...", while holding up a patently new axe. It is philosophically descended from the Ship of Theseus and related to Locke's Socks.
Another variation is "Grandfather's old broom", with identical derivation. From one episode of Only Fools and Horses on BBC, the road sweeper Trigger proudly displays a medal he was awarded by the local council for having contributed to the community by using the same brush for the past 20 years. He then proudly holds up the brush and claims "Maintained it for 20 years. This old broom's had 17 new heads and 14 new handles in its time." When Sid inquires how it can be classed as the same brush, Trigger angrily shows him a picture of him receiving the medal and demands "Well there's the bloody picture! What more proof do you need?"
The "Axe of my Grandfather" idea was a prominent plot element in the Discworld fantasy novel The Fifth Elephant by Terry Pratchett. It also arises in his earlier novel, "Carpet People".
