2006-10-28 13:48:36 · 12 answers · asked by MaryBeth 7 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Actually, the phrase originates not from boxing, but from prizefighting, which eventually became boxing.
When a prize fighter was not performing well enough to win, his seconds (the men in his corner) would throw in an object to show that he concedes defeat. In earlier days, the object was often a sponge, as it was the closest, handiest, and lightest object to throw.
The phrase was at one point "Throw in the sponge".
As sponges fell out of favor to use in at ringside (they tend to rot), towels became the next item used for mopping up the fighters sweat and dousing him with water.
Thus, the phrase changed from "Throw in the sponge" to "Throw in the towel".
It's now a commonly used phrase meant to indicate surrender.
2006-10-28 13:50:22 · answer #1 · answered by the_dude 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
This is an expression that comes from the world of boxing. I understand that the trainers of boxers always carried a towel with them. After every round, they used this towel to wipe some of the sweat off the boxer. If during the fight they found that their boxer was getting beaten up badly, then the trainers took the responsibility of calling off the fight.
2006-10-28 13:52:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Must have been from Boxing. Throwing the towel into the ring is a signal that the fighter quits.
2006-10-28 13:50:29 · answer #3 · answered by Speaking_Up 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From Boxing- when one player was too injured to go on, his coach would throw his face towel into the ring as a sign of giving up and surrendering the match.
2006-10-28 13:50:26 · answer #4 · answered by Trip S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Boxing. If the fight was going really badly, the way to concede was to throw the towel into the ring
2006-10-28 13:50:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
She's right. It's boxing. To end a ring fight, the trainer would throw the towel into the ring.
2006-10-28 13:51:23 · answer #6 · answered by Chris 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
boxing
you can throw in the towel to give up the match
2006-10-28 13:50:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
boxing - when the fighter has had enough, his corner attendants throw the towel into the ring and the referee stops the fight.
2006-10-28 13:49:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
boxing...
also, go to google and type "throw in the towel" in the search box
2006-10-28 13:50:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
From boxing,....where "throw in the towel..." means basically....he's done!! no more!!!
2006-10-28 13:53:22 · answer #10 · answered by sweet 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋