Turn in

Posted by Smokey Stover on July 02, 2008 at 03:16

In Reply to: Turn in posted by Kent on July 01, 2008 at 14:51:

: What is the origin of the phrase 'turn in'? As in..
: 'I am tired so I am going to turn in'

In the meaning of "go to bed," the Oxford English Dictionary describes this as a colloquial term of nautical origin. It appears to have been well-known in this sense in the 17th century, and from the 19th century the OED gives us this example:

1837 T. HOOK Jack Brag xiii, Jack 'turned in', as the sailors say.

Perhaps someone can say why sailors used the term.
SS

• Turn in R. Berg 02/July/08
  • Turn in Victoria S Dennis 02/July/08