Bear with me

Posted by Smokey Stover on April 15, 2005

In Reply to: Bear with me posted by R. Berg on April 14, 2005

: : What is the origin of "bear with me"?

: If you're asking who said it first, no one here is likely to know that. Could you clarify your question so we have a better idea of how to answer?

The OED has a lengthy article on "bear." The most immediately relevant is: " 17. intr. to bear with: to put up with, be patient with, make allowance for. (With indirect passive to be borne with.)
[Citations:]
a1553 UDALL [Ralph Royster Doyster]. IV. vii. (Arb.) 74 The heart of a man Should more honour winne by bearyng with a woman. a1586 Answ. Cartwright 72 Ignorance..is to bee borne with. 1601 SHAKES. Jul. C. III. ii. 110 Beare with me, my heart is in the coffin there with Cæsar." SS