# Barkis is willin'

> English word · Phrase

## Definitions
1. Somebody has a sweetheart they wish to marry.
2. Someone is amenable to a suggestion.

## Etymology
A reference to Charles Dickens' novel David Copperfield, in which the phrase is used by Mr Barkis to hint that he wishes to marry Clara Peggotty.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/barkis-is-willin