A million reasons to throw the book at him

Ghoulish Delight · 11-28-2007, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

I wonder where that expression came from? I'm thinking sometime in colonial days they actually threw leather bound books at law breaking witches or something...

It likely comes from the idea of "throwing every punishment in the book at him."

Gemini Cricket · 11-28-2007, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

It likely comes from the idea of "throwing every punishment in the book at him."

Yeah, but that's not as funny...

Snowflake · 11-28-2007, 10:35 AM

It's in the cultural dictionary, but no history on the phrase.

I expect GD is right, and I'd add, this probably became popular in the 1930's, it seems very slangy, maybe because I've heard it in a million and 1 ganster movies

Gemini Cricket · 11-28-2007, 10:40 AM

Mugsy: "Listen here, Cappy. We're turnin' you in, see? It's curtains for you, yellow belly! I hopes they throw the book at you and toss your keester into the slammer, see?"
Cappy: "Please, Mugsy! Don't do it. I'll come clean."
Mugsy: "Spill it, Ugly. Drop the other shoe, see?"

11-28-2007, 10:35 AM	#3
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	It's in the cultural dictionary, but no history on the phrase. I expect GD is right, and I'd add, this probably became popular in the 1930's, it seems very slangy, maybe because I've heard it in a million and 1 ganster movies __________________ Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. - Oscar Wilde
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11-28-2007, 10:40 AM	#4
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	Mugsy: "Listen here, Cappy. We're turnin' you in, see? It's curtains for you, yellow belly! I hopes they throw the book at you and toss your keester into the slammer, see?" Cappy: "Please, Mugsy! Don't do it. I'll come clean." Mugsy: "Spill it, Ugly. Drop the other shoe, see?"
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