Went in at the one ear and out at the other

Went in at the one ear and out at the other

The phrase "went in at the one ear and out at the other" is a common idiom that refers to someone not paying attention or not retaining information that is being communicated to them. This expression can be traced back to the works of John Heywood, a prominent English playwright and poet who lived during the 16th century.

Heywood was known for his witty and humorous plays, as well as his use of proverbs and idioms in his writing. One of his most famous works is "The Proverbs of John Heywood," a collection of over 600 proverbs that he compiled and published in 1546. Many of these proverbs have become well-known phrases that are still used today, including "went in at the one ear and out at the other."