Starting from scratch ?

Question

we don't start everything by scratching.. then why the phrase ?

Answer 1

Actually "scratch" in this expression does NOT refer directly to "nothing" or to "chicken scratch" (that is, very little).

Rather it means to start from the BEGINNING.

This use of the expression came from the 19th century use of "scratch" to refer to the STARTING LINE for a race (that is, to the line scratched in the ground). A competitor who was made to "start from scratch" had no advantage, whereas others might be allowed to start ahead of the line (that is, with a handcap).

http://www.answers.com/topic/from-scratch


Actually, "scratch" as a starting line for a sporting event goes back another century, being first attested (according to the Oxford English Dictionary) for cricket, but also used for bare-kuckled fighting. In the latter use it referred to the line drawn across the ring to which the boxers are brought to begin their bout. From THIS use arose another idiom "up to scratch", meaning to meet the required standard (ready to begin/take on the challenge).

http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-sta4.htm



In fact, as near as I can tell, a whole host of extended uses of scratch go back either to the literal activity of scratching (shallow digging) -- from "chicken scratch" (or "scratch feed"), so called because the chickens were forced to scratch to get it, to someone being "scratched from a race/lineup" (that is, a line is scratched through their name on the list).


See also
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/scratch
http://www.webster.com/dictionary/scratch (and choose "scratch [2,noun] from the box.

Answer 2

Means starting with very little - scratch!@

Answer 3

It means starting from very little, chicken scratch.

Answer 4

"scratch" in figurative terms can mean "nothing". So, to start from scratch would mean to start with or from nothing.

Answer 5

I like to scratch my butt.