...or bust

Posted by ESC on January 06, 2006

In Reply to: ...or bust posted by Angie on January 05, 2006

: What does the phrase "...or bust" mean and where did originated from? As in, "California or bust!"

I believe "bust" has this meaning:

Main Entry: 4bust
Variant(s): or bust·ed /'b&s-t&d/
Function: adjective
: BANKRUPT, BROKE Go bust.
(Merriam-Webster online)

Get to California or go broke trying. I'm not sure why it is "bust."