Where did the term "kicking butt and taking names" come from?

Question

Is it some kind of quote from a famous person or something, or just a cliche?

Answer 1

probably the military..not sure which arm..

Answer 2

I heard that it started with the Naval Police, the SP's. Sailor's were frequently rowdy on shore leave and the SP's would take the ring leaders ID's and make note of that, in a situation where they were outnumbered, or was particularly volatile. This would hopefully calm the followers down a bit. Sometimes they would have to kick a_ _ and take names at the same time.

Answer 3

Its been around for awhile. Back in grammer school when the
teacher left the class room, she left a student sitting in a chair
Their job was to make a list of names of any bad behavior
while the teacher was gone (the kid who did it was called the
teachers pet) Upon her return, the question for some students
was, whether or not their names were indeed on the list.
When we got to the school yard, The concept was added onto. Someone who was really baddd was said to not only
be kicking butt, but also taking names, (making a list of those
who's butts he would kick).

Answer 4

I have always head it in a Military Context, particularly the Marine Corps.

Answer 5

I'd say it started in the US.Most likely cops starting saying it.
Take them down and process them.

Answer 6

The USMC