Re: On pins and needles

Posted by Smokey Stover on April 17, 2005

In Reply to: On pins and needles posted by nancy on April 14, 2005

: Where did the phrase 'on pins and needles' originate?

Where? I would guess Great Britain. Here's what the OED has to say. "d. pins and needles: popular name for a pricking or tingling sensation, as that which accompanies the recovery of feeling in a limb after numbness. on pins and needles: in a state of excessive uneasiness. [Example, first printed use:]
1810 J. POOLE Hamlet Travestie 8 Would it were supper-time... Till then I'm sitting upon pins and needles." SS