And where does it originate from?
2006-07-26 16:25:22 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Going hell bent for leather means going very fast without consideration for stopping.
From the word detective guy:
"In any case, to answer your question, “hell bent for leather” does not seem to have a single origin -- it is probably a blending of two other colloquial sayings, “hell bent” and “hell for leather,” into one phrase. "
Rudyard Kipling is apparently the first person to use the phrase "hell for leather" in 1889. In 1899, Stephen Crane used the phrase "hell bent for election".
Personally, I always fancied that it came from cowboys chasing a stampede on the trail, meaning that the cattle were running "hell bent" on turning themselves into "leather", but that just my be from watching too many western movies.
I'm guessing that it depends on who you talk to.
2006-07-26 17:39:55 · answer #1 · answered by Muffie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Going "Hell for leather" means going as fast as possible. I've no idea where it comes from, but I suppose the "leather" has something to do with horse tack, implying that the rider was not sparing the "leather" to get where he was going.
2006-07-26 16:36:52 · answer #2 · answered by The Lone Gunman 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am thinking it originates from cowboys who would draw their guns as fast as possible or be shot, probably going to hell. Going for the draw is also called 'slapping leather' so it sort of fits. The faster the better.
2006-07-27 03:17:28 · answer #3 · answered by PsiKnight9 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I DO NOT KNOW! HOWEVER, let me give you my favorits interpretation of this common adage... it goes, "...hell-bent for leather..." This implies, within the vernacular, major speed is being implemented to get a job done or destination achieved. If you are on a motorcycle and you're a "speed demon," than you'd better have your "leathers" on because if your have to ditch your bike, the leathers allow you to keep your skin>>> Anyway, that's the way I see it.... Hell bent for leather means you're just asking to "wipe-out!"
2006-07-26 16:58:22 · answer #4 · answered by cherodman4u 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
going to hell to buy some leather
2006-07-27 21:19:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
leather men, they are gay, they say gay people go to hell, leather men are gay biker types. you get the idea.
2006-07-26 16:28:12 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
there's a nice wordplay on this idiom
A for apple
S for sugar
V for victor
and
L for leather
2006-07-27 00:43:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋