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Turn in

Posted by R. Berg on July 02, 2008 at 16:34

In Reply to: Turn in posted by Smokey Stover on July 02, 2008 at 03:16:

: : 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

Because sailors' quarters were so cramped that there wasn't room to sit on a bunk before lying down? ~rb

  • Turn in Victoria S Dennis 02/July/08

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