Where did the phrase "say uncle" come from?

Answer 1

Say Uncle
The OED2 includes a cite from American Speech in 1976 where the origin is traced to the Irish anacol, meaning an act of mercy or quarter. So, to say uncle appears to be a folk etymology that arose in North America from Irish immigrants. The phrase is pretty much unknown in the UK and Ireland.

Answer 2

American Speech in 1976 where the origin is traced to the Irish anacol, meaning an act of mercy or quarter. So, to say uncle appears to be a folk etymology that arose in North America from Irish immigrants.

Answer 3

The OED2 includes a cite from American Speech in 1976 where the origin is traced to the Irish "anacol", meaning an act of mercy or quarter. So, to "say uncle" appears to be an expression arising from corruption or mispronunciation of that Irish word.

Answer 4

Uncle Tom or Uncle Chuck

Answer 5

goes back to the Roman Empire. Bullies would force their victims to say patrue, mi patruissimo.. uncle, my favorite uncle

Answer 6

‘To say’ or ‘cry uncle’ has since the beginning of this century meant ‘to give up, to surrender, to say you’ve had enough.’ Apparently it is of schoolboy origin, at least it is most used by schoolboys when fighting, especially when one has another pinned helplessly on the ground.

Answer 7

there are a lot of uncles that will play with there brothers children,and sometimes they will tickle them, or hold them in a head lock, are something like that, and the child would say UNCLE- UNCLE- STOP,

Answer 8

It comes from Uncle Chuck he use to like taking it in the but when he was alive, and he would say "uncle" if the peter was too big

Answer 9

Bullies

Answer 10

The old show called the three Moe,Larry,curly.