Origin of getting the sack?

Question

Sat here bored just thinking where 'getting the sack'comes from?

Answer 1

According to the source below:

"The probable derivation is the allusion to tradesmen, who owned their own tools, taking them with them in a bag or sack when they were dismissed from employment.

In his 1869 'Slang Dictionary', John Hotten records these alternatives - 'get the bag' (from the North of England) and 'get the empty' (from London)."

Answer 2

In 19th century England redundancy payments were unheard of so, when a well-meaning employer realised he would have to lay-off some of his workforce, he would present them with a woven sack.

Now, although the previously-employed fellow would probably not find gainful employment ever again in his tragically-shortened life, this sack would be of great use.

A sack could be used to cover a member of the family for warmth, or protection from attack, it could be used to carry chopped wood, to heat the family and, in utter desperation, it could be used to carry the swag from the latest burglary commited during an enthusiastic attempt to forge a new career.

Answer 3

It comes from the old,old days when a boss wanted to finish a worker, he was given a sack to put his tools or belongings in.

Answer 4

i think it came from the old coal miners days, when they were getting laid off. given a sack full of coal to keep the kids warm in winter, or something charitable along those lines.

Answer 5

lol Probably America