A guess...

Posted by Bob on November 18, 1999

In Reply to: A guess... posted by ESC on November 18, 1999

: : I am trying to find the origin of this phrase...can anyone help? Thanks.

: Crack of dawn. I couldn't find this expression in my phrase reference books. But I am guessing that it relates to "break of dawn." Perhaps people saw night as a big black bowl -- then there is a break or crack and dawn shines through. If I get a better explanation, I'll post it.

I found a dictionary that defined crack as moment or instant, but it gave no source or history beyond the phrase "crackof dawn." Still looking.