do you know when and how did the term caught red handed originate ?

Answer 1

From the Online Etymology Dictionary-

red-handed
1819, earlier red-hand (1432), originally in Scottish legal writing, from red (1) + hand, presumably from the image of a murderer caught in the act, with blood on the hands.

From Phrase Origins and Meanings.

Caught red-handed.

Meaning

To be caught in the act of committing a misdemeanour, with the evidence there for all to see.

Origin

The Red Hand has long been a heraldic and cultural symbol of the northern Irish province of Ulster. One of the many myths as to its origin is the tale of how, in a boat race in which the first to touch the shore of Ulster was to become the province's ruler, one contestant guaranteed his win by cutting off his hand and throwing it to the shore ahead of his rivals. The potency of the symbol remains and is used in the Ulster flag, and as recently as the 1970s a group of Ulster loyalist paramilitaries named themselves the Red Hand Commandos.

Red-handed doesn't have a mythical origin however - it is a straightforward allusion to having blood on one's hands after the execution of a murder or a poaching session. The term originates, not from Northern Ireland, but from a country not far from there, i.e. Scotland. An earlier form of 'red-handed', simply 'red hand', dates back to a usage in the Scottish Acts of Parliament of James I, 1432.

Answer 2

The term 'Caught Red Handed' originated during British days in relation to corruption cases. When a person asks for a Bribe the Money paid to him is coated with an almost colourless Phenopthalin powder and the Police lay a 'Trap'. ln the process of accepting the Money, the Bibe taker's Hands are coated with the Phenopthalin powder. This powder coated Hand when dipped in a 'Solution' turns Red and proves incontrovertibly that the Bribe taker has in fact accepted the 'Tainted' Money or accepted the Bribe ! Hence, the term Caught Red Handed !

Answer 3

'To be taken with red hand' in ancient times was to be caught in the act, like a murderer, his hands red with his victim's blood. The use of 'red hand' in this sense goes back to 15th century Scotland and Scottish law. Scott's 'Ivanhoe' has the first recorded use of 'taken red-handed' for someone apprehended in the act of committing a crime. Not long after, the expression became more common as 'caught red-handed.'" From "Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins" by Robert Hendrickson (Facts on File, New York, 1997), Page 135-136 and 138

Answer 4

Red handed is a straightforward allusion to having blood on one's hands after the execution of a murder or a poaching session. The term originates, not from Northern Ireland, but from a country not far from there, i.e. Scotland. An earlier form of 'red-handed', simply 'red hand', dates back to a usage in the Scottish Acts of Parliament of James I, 1432.

Answer 5

I think it started in Scotland about 14 or 15th century. Originally, it simply means caught in the act of committing murder. The blood stain in the murderer's hand is the red hand.

Answer 6

Ante corruption people apply a particular powder in currency note and give those currency notes to the complainant to bribe the public servant who is demanding bribe in lieu of work from the complainant. As soon as this act is over Ante corruption people appear in the seen and ask the recipient of bribe to wash his hand. On washing hands becomes red so that person is considered caught red handed.

Answer 7

Long Ago, the owner caught a employee stealing chillies with his hands coloured red. And from there it originated.CAUGHT RED HANDED

Answer 8

I believe had to do with being caught with blood on ones hands after committing a murder