What is the meaning of the phrase ‘sawing logs’?
Snoring, breathing noisily during sleep, like the sound of logs being sawn.
What is the origin of the phrase ‘sawing logs’?
The precise origin of the phrase ‘sawing logs’ is not yet determined but we do know that it has been around since the early 1900s
‘Sawing logs’ is a description comparing the sound someone makes when snoring with the sound made when a log is being sawn into slices or for firewood. It’s a sound that’s most usually accompanied by a very deep sleep.
Imagine if you will, a 2-person log-cutting saw being drawn backwards and forwards rhythmically. A rasping sound can be heard whenever the saw makes contact with the wood, and the sound may pause before making another rasping sound when moving in the other direction.
The phrase ‘saw logs’ means the same thing. Today, both phrases are used in everyday conversation and slang, as well as in the likes of children’s books, comics, and TV shows. It has even featured as lyrics in country and folk music.
The vivid imagery of the phrase effectively conveys the rhythmic and often loud nature of snoring, making it a popular and enduring expression in American vernacular.
