Where does the term "elbow grease" come from?

Answer 1

'Elbow grease is an old term for working hard at manual labor or trades. As in "put some elbowgrease into that". It is also used as a practical joke by master tradesperson on apprentices - e.g. "Go fetch some elbow grease from him". Each tradesperson will say someone else has the elbow grease and send the unwitting apprentice on to another master tradesperson. The snipe hunt will continue until the apprentice gives up, catches on or runs out of people/places to search.'

Answer 2

Elbow grease is an old term for working hard at manual labor or trades. As in "put some elbowgrease into that". It is also used as a practical joke by master tradesperson on apprentices - e.g. "Go fetch some elbow grease from him". Each tradesperson will say someone else has the elbow grease and send the unwitting apprentice on to another master tradesperson. The snipe hunt will continue until the apprentice gives up, catches on or runs out of people/places to search.

Answer 3

ELBOW GREASE -- "Elbow grease has been a term of 'hard manual labor' since before 1639, 'B.E.'s Dictionary of Canting Crew' (ca. 1698) calling it 'A derisory term for Sweat.' The old joke that 'elbow grease' is the best brand of furniture poish was probably common centuries ago, too, in some form. The phrase was known in France from early times as well (buile de bras)." From the "Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins" by Robert Hendrickson (Facts on File, New York, 1997).

Answer 4

fisters

Answer 5

i am not sure