Put on The Wooden Overcoat : Phrases, Clichés, Expressions & Sayings

Put on The Wooden Overcoat

Put on The Wooden Overcoat : Phrases

Meaning:

Die.

Example:

Origin:

The 'wooden overcoat' is, of course, the coffin. This colloquial phrase isn't recorded in many reference works and the origin is uncertain. It appears to be American in origin and most of the early printed citations come from the USA. The earliest that I can find is this piece from the Ohio newspaper The Coshocton Democrat, May 1870:

"If you want to get blowed up - if your life is insured in your wife's name and you want her to have the money immediately - buy some new-fangled burning fluid that is remarkable for its cheapness. There is no surer way of getting yourself into a wooden overcoat."

The 'new-fangled burning fluid referred to was petrol. No longer remarkable for its cheapness but still just as flammable.

Phrases Index

From The Wooden Overcoat to HOME PAGE


Home Confused Words What is NEW? Search THIS Site Nursery Rhymes Beauties of English Grammar Intermediate Level Advanced English f.a.q Tips Plain English Vocabulary Etymology Synonyms Antonyms TOEFL GRE GMAT Your English Teacher Business Letters Difficult Words Social Letters Short Stories English Poems Poem Topics TOP 100 Poems English Songs Famous Quotations Business Dictionary Essays Subscribe To This Site	Put on The Wooden Overcoat Previous Page Put on The Wooden Overcoat : Phrases Meaning: Die. Example: Origin: The 'wooden overcoat' is, of course, the coffin. This colloquial phrase isn't recorded in many reference works and the origin is uncertain. It appears to be American in origin and most of the early printed citations come from the USA. The earliest that I can find is this piece from the Ohio newspaper The Coshocton Democrat, May 1870: "If you want to get blowed up - if your life is insured in your wife's name and you want her to have the money immediately - buy some new-fangled burning fluid that is remarkable for its cheapness. There is no surer way of getting yourself into a wooden overcoat." The 'new-fangled burning fluid referred to was petrol. No longer remarkable for its cheapness but still just as flammable. Phrases Index From The Wooden Overcoat to HOME PAGE	Follow These Links!