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Stick your spoon in the wall, to die

Posted by Joe on March 02, 2009 at 15:48

In Reply to: Stick your spoon in the wall, to die posted by Mike Shoemake on March 02, 2009 at 08:06:

: Stick your spoon in the wall, to die. Where did this saying originate?

It orginated in the Royal Navy and British Army at least by 1825. Then it ment one would have no need of a spoon at mess, that is they were either dead or such.

My Grandmother's Guests and Their Tales: In 2 Vol.ý - Page 236
by Henry Slingsby - 1825

In short, my love, it means the same as sticking his spoon in the wall. ... But
pray do explain to us, uncle, about sticking a spoon in the wall.
The Historical Cabinet: Containing Authentic Accounts of Many Remarkable and ...ý - Page 263
History - 1835 - 516 pages

... he will have no further occasion to draw rations ;" or, "that he has stuck
his spoon in the wall and left off" messing ;" such is the force of habit. ...

The Museum of Foreign Literature, Science, and Artý - Page 314
by Robert Walsh, Eliakim Littell, John Jay Smith - 1829

... that he has stuck his spoon in the wall," meaning it can be no longer of use
to him ; but the latter, badly hurt, borne in agony to the rear, ...

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