Where does the phrase ‘more fun than you can poke a stick at’ originate and what does it mean???

Answer 1

Ok i was told it was something to do with years ago when people where getting ready to be hanged they were put in cages ,and people used to go along and poke them with sticks .This was supposed to be highly entertaining as hangings were like big occasions and everyone used to go out and watch them as a form of entertainment. Not very nice i suppose but that's what i was told .

Answer 2

i have been looking all over the internet and it seems like no one really knows the origin of this phrase, although a few people have interesting theories as to the origin of this phrase. I think the only answers your gonna get to this question are gonna be pure speculation. But hey good luck with the search :)

Answer 3

I've heard that phrase all my life. Another similar is "more ???? than you can SHAKE a stick at" Never did know the origin.

Answer 4

I think it was once
'More fun than eating with sticks'
from when a family of cave men went to a chinese restaurant,
they couldnt get the chopstick thing happening right
so they used their hands, as they have been known to do,
and quite enjoyed the experience.
They had so much fun that they booked a table for the following evening.

Answer 5

"The phrase 'to poke a stick at (something)' refers to a finite amount of something that you can poke with a stick"

Adding fun as the 'something' is presumably a modern euphamism (can't say iv ever heard it said), using the phrase incorrectly, probably intentionally.

Answer 6

It was originally "more fun than you can *shake* a stick at" and I think it comes from the idea of elderly people disapproving of young folks having fun, so they shake their cane (stick) at them and threaten them with mayhem if they don't stop.