2006-08-06 03:22:34 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
Where did the term "kick the bucket" come from?
A bucket is a beam on which pigs were hung by their hind legs to be killed. "Kick the bucket" originally referred to the pigs' struggle while being slaughtered (they literally kicked the beam) and eventually came to be used to indicate dying in general.
2006-08-06 03:26:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Meaning: To die or stop working.
Origin (This old expresion dates back to the 16th century)
A suicide who stands on a pail, slips at noose around his neck and kicks the pail, or bucket out from under him would be the logical choice for the origin of this old slang term meaning to die.
However, some etymologists say the phrase comes from an entirely different source: The wooden frame that slaughtered animals were hung from used to be known as a bucket The death spasms of the animals caused them to kick the bucket, this supposedly gave birth to the phrase.
2006-08-06 09:09:38 · answer #2 · answered by gospieler 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means to die. Comes from the fact that when someone commits suicide by hanging they "kick the bucket" out from under their feet.
2006-08-06 03:28:41 · answer #3 · answered by Linda 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pronunciation: 'kik
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English kiken
intransitive verb
1 a : to strike out with the foot or feet b : to make a kick in football
2 a : to show opposition : RESIST, REBEL b : to protest strenuously or urgently : express grave discontent; broadly : COMPLAIN
3 : to function with vitality and energy
4 of a firearm : to recoil when fired
5 : to go from one place to another as circumstance or whim dictates
6 : to run at a faster speed during the last part of a race
transitive verb
1 a : to strike, thrust, or hit with the foot b : to strike suddenly and forcefully as if with the foot c : to remove by a kicking motion
2 : to score by kicking a ball
3 : to heap reproaches upon (oneself)
4 : to free oneself of (as a drug habit)
- kick·able /'ki-k&-b&l/ adjective
- kick *** often vulgar : to kick butt
- kick butt : to use forceful or coercive measures in order to achieve a purpose; also : to succeed or win overwhelmingly
- kick over the traces : to cast off restraint, authority, or control
- kick the bucket : DIE
- kick up one's heels
1 : to show sudden delight
2 : to have a lively time
- kick upstairs : to promote to a higher but less desirable position
2006-08-06 03:29:28 · answer #4 · answered by Arsal 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means to die
2006-08-06 03:26:15 · answer #5 · answered by Analeigh 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to die to pass away
2006-08-06 03:26:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋