Duking it out

Posted by Word Camel on October 08, 2002

In Reply to: Duking it out posted by Eileen Webb on October 08, 2002

: What is the origin of this phrase?
: Thank you.

I do not know when the phrase was first used, but I can tell you a little bit about why it is used.

Duke, according to the American Heritage Dictionary, comes from the middle English/old French work "duc" which comes from the latin word "dux" meaning leader.

"Duke" is slang for fist.

Here is the definition of duke as a verb:

INTRANSITIVE VERB: Inflected forms: duked, duk·ing, dukes
To fight, especially with fists: duking it out.

There might be a first reference to the word used in this way in the OED, but unfortunately I don't have access to it. I hope that helps to shed a little light.

Camel