Adam's off ox

Posted by ESC on October 14, 2000

In Reply to: Don't know from Adam posted by Jewell Jungman on October 14, 2000

: I understand this phrase has something to do with Adam being created, not born. Does anyone know of a reference to verify or explain this?

ADAM'S OFF OX - "The form commonly used is 'not to know one from Adam's off ox,' meaning to have not the slightest information about the person indicated. The saying in any form, however, is another of the numerous ones commonly heard but of which no printed record has been found. But in 1848 the author of a book on 'Nantucketisms' recorded a saying then in use on that island, 'Poor as God's off ox,' which, he said, meant very poor. It is possible that on the mainland 'Adam' was used as a euphemistic substitute. The off ox, in a yoke of oxen, is the one on the right of the team. Because it is the farthest from the driver it cannot be so well seen and may therefore get the worst of the footing. It is for that reason that 'off ox' has been used figuratively to designate a clumsy or awkward person." From A Hog on Ice by Charles Earle Funk (1948, Harper & Row). A variation is "Adam's house cat."