At loggerheads

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At loggerheads

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At loggerheads

Meaning

In dispute with.

Origin

Of UK origin. The word 'loggerhead' is now not much used apart from in this odd phrase, and as a name - of a species of turtle, a bird and as a placename. It had two, now archaic, meanings but it isn't clear which is the source of the phrase. One meaning is 'a stupid person - a blockhead'. Shakespeare used it with that meaning in Love's Labours Lost, 1588:

"Ah you whoreson logger-head, you were borne to doe me shame."

It is also recorded as 'an iron instrument with a long handle used for melting pitch and for heating liquids'. This could also be what's referred to in 'at loggerheads'.

The first use of the phrase known in print is in Francis Kirkman's, The English Rogue, 1680:

"They frequently quarrell'd about their Sicilian wenches, and indeed..they seem..to be worth the going to Logger-heads for."

Loggerheads is also a small town in Staffordshire - a gift for jokers - 'Are you going on holiday this year? Yes, I'll be having a fortnight at Loggerheads with the wife'.

See other phrases and sayings from Shakespeare.