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Origin of 'up to scratch'

Posted by Mortimer on June 05, 2001

In Reply to: Origin of 'up to scratch' posted by Mitchell on June 04, 2001

: A phrase used in pugilists' fights.A line was scratched on the ground to which the contestants had to put their forward foot before the fight could begin.

Are you saying thats the origin for sure? I mean I could think of other possibilities. Like a scratch on a wall for the height of a person, or horse, or something. mortimer

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