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The meaning and origin of the expression: Sticks and stones may break my bones

Sticks and stones may break my bones

What's the meaning of the phrase 'Sticks and stones may break my bones'?

'Sticks and stones may break my bones' is a response to an insult, implying that "You might be hurt able to hurt me by physical force but not by insults".

What's the origin of the phrase 'Sticks and stones may break my bones'?

Sticks and stones may break my bones'Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me' is a stock response to verbal bullying in school playgrounds throughout the English-speaking world. It sounds a little antiquated these days and has no doubt been superseded by more streetwise comebacks.

The earliest citation of it that I can find is from an American periodical with a largely black audience, The Christian Recorder, March 1862:

Remember the old adage, 'Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me'. True courage consists in doing what is right, despite the jeers and sneers of our companions.

That reference to the expression as an 'old adage' in 1862 suggests and earlier coinage.

See also: the List of Proverbs.

Gary Martin - the author of the phrases.org.uk website.

By Gary Martin

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

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