Put the wood to him

Posted by ESC on December 04, 2003

PUT THE WOOD TO HIM - "The book says (Crit) Luallen was 'as angry as she'd ever been' and quotes her as saying that she told her boss: 'You will not resign. You will not do that. You will not do that to your legacy or to the people you have brought to this administration.'.When (Kentucky Governor Paul) Patton returned from Washington that afternoon, (general counsel Denis) Fleming said, "Crit really put the wood to him." From "Book says Patton nearly resigned/
Key aide Luallen insisted he stay despite affair" by Al Cross, The Courier-Journal, Louisville, Ky., December 4, 2003. Online at [Dead link removed - ed] The book, "Progress and Paradox: The Patton Years, 1995-2003," was paid for by Patton supporters and written by Fran Ellers of Louisville, a former reporter in The Courier-Journal's Frankfort bureau.

I am assuming "the wood" refers to an old-fashioned butt-beating with a wooden paddle like they used to have in schools. I guess Crit was figuratively putting the wood to Gov. Patton. But you never know.

Taking someone "to the woodshed" means the same thing -- verbally or actually giving someone a whipping.

• Put the wood to him pdianek 04/December/03