Bit the biscuit

Posted by James Briggs on February 21, 2001

In Reply to: Bit the biscuit posted by Jim Cummins on February 20, 2001

: some friends of ours from Canada used this phrase recently and I've been trying to determine its origin. It almost seems hockey related (the puck is sometimes referred to as "the biscuit" and biting it would produce the effect which the phrase describes), but they seemed to believe that it is more British in origin.

: Please send cc: any replies to my account as I do not frequent this forum.

: Thanks in advance.

Perhaps this is an adulteration of 'bite the bullet'? If so, then:

Bullet: If someone is told to chew or bite on the bullet then they are advised to accept their punishment. The Bullet in this instance was a real one. It was a point of honour in some regiments that soldiers never cried out when under the discipline of the cat o'nine tails. In order to remain quiet, they literally chewed a bullet. If they did sing out, then they were termed a "nightingale".
An alternative explanation comes from the time of the Indian Mutiny. Cartridges at that time came in two parts, the missile part inserted into the base and held there with grease. This grease was either pork or cow fat. In order to prime the bullet the two parts had to be bitten apart and the base filled with powder before re-inserting the missile. Pigs are untouchable to Hindus and cows are holy animals, not to be desecrated. In consequence the Hindu soldiers fighting for the British were damned when they bit the bullet, whatever the fat used.

• E-mail or an e-mail? stephanie vevers 02/23/01