where did this phrase come from( the money or your life)?

Answer 1

Jack Benny aside:
This Phrase was commonly used by 'Highwaymen' (bandits)through England and France. I don't know exactly at what time it began but I will venture with the advent of 'matchlock' pistols or slightly later with the advent of 'flintlock' pistols...late 1500's or mid 1600's.

Please check your local Internet site or library for the correct dates.

Answer 2

It's quite hard to trace down where the phrase came from because the peculiar thing with languages is that they are contagious and phrases get spread around and swapped and so on and so forth.

The basic origin of this phrase is when someone is trying to rob you. They have a weapon (not nessecarily a gun, even a knife or some other LETHAL weapon would do) and have given you two choices:
1) Give me your money and I'll leave you alone
2) Resist and I'll kill you and then take your money

All that is summerised in the short simple and to the point phrase "your money or your life!"

Answer 3

The phrase is "YOUR money, or your life?" It's not a saying or anything...it's a movie line from very old movies mostly. A robber would put a gun in your back and say "Your money, or your life!?!" Most people would promptly give up their money to the thief.

Answer 4

Clint Eastwood?

Answer 5

i know it was popularized by Jack Benny...here's an account of it:

Way back in March of 1948, Jack Benny, one of the greatest comedians America has had, was confronted on his show with a gun-toting individual who said:

"Your money or your life."

Benny hesitated. So the hold-up artist repeated:

"Your money or your life."

After more hesitation, Benny said impatiently:

"I'm thinking. I'm thinking."

Answer 6

It's what the robber said to his victim. "Give me your money, or I will kill you!" No way to know who said it, first. It happened maybe 10,000 years ago.