The phrase: "to hell in a hand basket"

Posted by Skip on December 12, 2002

back to this phrase from some time ago.

My grandmother used this phrase often: she was born in 1880. Could it be that this phrase may have originally started during the French Revolution when the heads would roll at the Guillotine and were carried off in woven baskets. As the executed were all considered criminals they went to hell. Thus: to hell in a hand basket.

• "To hell in a hand basket" R. Berg 12/12/02
  • "To hell in a hand basket" Peter 12/13/02
    • Hell and Scissors Woodchuck 12/13/02