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BROOK(S) NO TRUCK: almost tautology?

Posted by TheFallen on April 09, 2003

In Reply to: BROOK(S) NO TRUCK: what does this mean? posted by James Briggs on April 09, 2003

: : I've come across the expression "brook(s) no truck" many times, and have never found it in any reference materials, including this site! From the context in which I've seen it used, it seems to mean "won't deal with bullsh-t". Can anyone clarify the definition and explain the origin of this phrase? Thanks.

: As far as 'truck' is concerned, the origin is as follows:
: To have no truck with someone means to have no dealings with them. Truck comes from the French "troquer" meaning "to barter".
: I'll have to check on 'brook' - unless someone beats me to it!

I've never seen the specific phrase "to brook no truck with" used. It seems to be an almost tautologous hybrid of two other expressions, namely:-

"To have no truck with", meaning to have no dealings with (as ably explained by both ESC and James). This phrase is usually used with an emphatic negative sense, e.g. Bill still smokes hash at weekends, but me? I'll have no truck with drugs these days.

"To brook", meaning to tolerate or put up with. Again this phrase is almost always used negatively, e.g. We'll brook no further arguments.

So, in conclusion, the phrase "to brook no truck with" means to tolerate absolutely no dealings with, or to reject utterly any association with.

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