Up against the wall

Posted by Debbie on May 01, 2006

In Reply to: Up against the wall posted by ESC on April 30, 2006

: : : : : What is the origin of the phrase "first up against the wall, come the revolution"

: : : : It is a reference to execution by firing squad, in which the condemned person is stood against a wall and shot.

: : : : The phrase is suggesting that 'come the (desired) revolution whoever is being mentioned will be the first to be executed.'

: : : : It is not generally to be taken literally.

: : : : DFG

: : : I feel a song coming on (and just in time for Mother's Day):

: : : Up Against The Wall Redneck Mother

: : : He was born in Oklahoma
: : : His wife's name is Betty Jo Thelma Liz.
: : : He's not responsible for what he's doing;
: : : His mother made him what he is.

: : : And it's up against the wall redneck mother
: : : Mother who has raised her son so well.
: : : He's thirty-four and drinking in them honky-tonks
: : : Just kicking all them hippies' a**es and raising h*ll...

: :
: : Mothers' Day was weeks ago this side of the Atlantic (I think: I could be in trouble if I have got that wrong.)

: : DFG

: Since my children are grown and gone, I do get confused about holidays and seasons. But Mother's Day is May 14 in the United States. I think.

Okay??? Does anyone know where the phrase was first used? French revolution? Trotskyism? is it older than that?