Donate SIGN UP

origin of hell for leather

Avatar Image
mmccaffrey | 11:57 Thu 24th Jul 2008 | Phrases & Sayings
1 Answers
what is the origin of hell for leather
Gravatar

Answers

Only 1 answerrss feed

Best Answer

No best answer has yet been selected by mmccaffrey. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.

For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.
Hell for leather is a statement that is often confused with "Hell bent for leather". Hell for leather, in American vernacular, refers to an arduous walk that may have been strewn with difficulties and was a strain on footwear. A long and difficult walk, such as over rough terrain, might be referred to as hell for leather because of the abuse the leather footwear sustained during the walk. "Hell bent for leather" has many uses and the most popular american use goes back to the 19th century american west when a particular livestock animal, such as a cow, bull or horse would be particularly difficult to handle. One of these troublesome creatures would cause their handler so much trouble that the owner or handler considered slaughter of the animal and turning the carcass into leather. When a horse or cattle became difficult to handle they were called "Hell bent for leather" meaning that the animal was hell bent to become a leather good.

This is probably confusing the issue, but there is a cod 'alphabet' in the UK (specifically Cockney I think) which starts 'A for 'orses' and includes 'L for leather'.

Only 1 answerrss feed

Do you know the answer?

origin of hell for leather

Answer Question >>

Related Questions