2006-10-25 00:25:53 · 10 answers · asked by robieluker@btinternet.com 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Quotations
It doesn't originate from a sport as such. The saying originates from card gaming. If you were playing a game of cards like pontoon for example (or any other game where your dealt cards can not be beaten), and you picked up a 10 and an ace, you would have won, with all the other hands down.
2006-10-25 00:30:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Many phrases have originated as jargon in the world of sport, including several from boxing. The memory of Muhammad Ali dancing round the ring with his hands at his side and going on the win the bout might encourage us to think that that is the origin of this one. Not quite, although it does come from sport - horse racing.
Jockeys need to keep a tight rein in order to encourage their horse to run. ANyone who is so far ahead that he can afford to slacken off and still win he can drop his hands and loosen the reins - hence winning 'hands down'. This is recorded from the mid 19th century. For example, 'Pips' Lyrics & Lays, 1867:
"There were good horses in those days, as he can well recall, But Barker upon Elepoo, hands down, shot by them all."
It began to be used in a figurative sense, to denote an easy win in other contexts, from the early 20th century
2006-10-25 00:34:47 · answer #2 · answered by Inky Pinky Ponky 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Win hands down
Meaning
Win easily, with little effort.
Origin
Many phrases have originated as jargon in the world of sport, including several from boxing. The memory of Muhammad Ali dancing round the ring with his hands at his side and going on the win the bout might encourage us to think that that is the origin of this one. Not quite, although it does come from sport - horse racing.
win hands downJockeys need to keep a tight rein in order to encourage their horse to run. ANyone who is so far ahead that he can afford to slacken off and still win he can drop his hands and loosen the reins - hence winning 'hands down'. This is recorded from the mid 19th century. For example, 'Pips' Lyrics & Lays, 1867:
"There were good horses in those days, as he can well recall, But Barker upon Elepoo, hands down, shot by them all."
It began to be used in a figurative sense, to denote an easy win in other contexts, from the early 20th century.
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/win-hands-down.html
2006-10-25 00:34:10 · answer #3 · answered by ♥gigi♥ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
win hands down - win easily - from horse-racing, a jockey would relax and lower his grip on the horse's reins allowing the horse to coast past the finishing line; nowadays an offence that will earn the jockey a fine or ban, due to the effect on the result and therefore betting payouts.
2006-10-25 00:30:40 · answer #4 · answered by Goatie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it comes from card games where people lay their hands of cards down and the winner is established. To win hands down means basically to win outright.
2006-10-25 00:38:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cards.
Some games involve declaring that you will win, laying down your cards and allowing the others to play your hand, trying to make you lose.
2006-10-25 00:35:41 · answer #6 · answered by lulu 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Greko Wrestling
2006-10-25 00:27:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
from doing the longest hand stands perhaps
2006-10-25 04:25:35 · answer #8 · answered by Princess415 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds more like a poker expression to me...
2006-10-25 00:28:32 · answer #9 · answered by cuddles_gb 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sixty nine?
2006-10-25 00:30:17 · answer #10 · answered by fleur 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋