Digging a hole to China

Posted by Caroline Frank on October 14, 2004

Thoreau used this phrase in the 1850s about a hole his neighbors were digging. What is the origin of this expression? Does anyone know of an earlier usage than Thoreau's?

• Digging a hole to China David FG 14/October/04
  • Digging a hole to China/ half-way SR 14/October/04