Who Is Correct?

[gness]

Grandma or the teacher. My granddaughter is visiting on her way home from school and informs me that her teacher was explaining "Three strikes and you are out."
I thought it came from baseball and I have heard it used by politicians.
Teacher says it comes from the days when criminals could have three chances before being severely punished for doing something wrong.
Do you know which it is?

[Stephen_G]

I thought it started through Baseball, and came into the legal language for habitual criminals.

[rockyracoon]

I thought the same as you about baseball and then it was adapted to fit the criminal scenario.

[society]

I always thought it meant that you have three chances only, then you would be held accountable or punished for whatever...

[Canary42]

It comes from Tory folklore - at the third stab in the back the Party Leader is out.

Seriously tho', I thought it was baseball jargon.

[Mamyalynne]

It comes from the first world war,,when lighting up a cigarette,,the first strike of the match,,the enemy sniper sees you,,the second strike of a match,,the sniper takes aim,,the third stike of a match and bang!!! You're dead

[jno]

baseball first (you only get three strikes at legitimate balls), adopted by American justice in the 1980s, I think.

[Baldric]

Any help?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-strikes_law

[gness]

I thought so...I'm wondering if it teacher's way of explaining how she is giving them three chances before sever punishment and criminals works better than baseball players....but I did then wonder if baseball poached it.

[rockyracoon]

As per wiki, the baseball rule goes back to 1880, din't know when it started to apply to crims

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strikeout

[Hopkirk]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-strikes_law

Wiki confirms the baseball connection

[sandyRoe]

I'd have thought it originally came from baseball.
Here's a chap who probably wishes it had stayed there. He got a 25 year sentence for stealing a slice of pizza.

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/feb/10/local/la-me-pizzathief10-2010feb10

[gness]

Thanks everyone and for that link Baldric.
Mamya...at the back of my mind there was something else I had heard and
had forgotten....you got it! She will take that information into school tomorrow. x

[tonyav]

Yes, mamya is correct. Although it is used in Baseball.

[gness]

Bet he does Sandy.....x

[emmie]

baseball, but it is used as far as i know in the American penal system...

[Baldric]

I think mamyas confusing strike with light

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-strikes_law

[Baldric]

OR, you could try this link!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_on_a_match_(superstition)

[shoota]

Grandma is always right - except when she spells 'rogue' and mistakes grey for red.....

[emmie]

useful, if not a little small type...

http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Three+Strikes+Laws