Sitting on the fence

Posted by Brian from Shawnee on February 14, 2010 at 17:27

In Reply to: Sitting on the fence posted by David FG on February 14, 2010 at 12:12:

: : What is the origin of the phrase "sitting on the fence"?

: I think the allusion is fairly straightforward. If I sit astride my garden fence, one leg either side (I imagine it would uncomfortable, so I don't do it often, or indeed, at all) I am neither on one side nor the other, but 'distributed' evenly between the two, and can, with equal ease, drop to either side.

: DFG

There may also be an implication that the politican or whoever is on the fence, is trying to decide which side to jump off.

• Sitting on the fence Smokey Stover 14/February/10