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etymology of "on the spot"

  • 05-08-2005 8:41am
    #1
    esperanza
    Closed Accounts Posts: 689 ✭✭✭


    Does anyone know of the etymology of the expression "on the spot". The context is to make decisions "on the spot". In French, it's "sur le champ", which is a military expression, I need to now if the etymology is as interesting in English. All contributions would be much appreciated. :D


Comments

  • #2
    Zaph0d
    Closed Accounts Posts: 756 ✭✭✭Zaph0d


    http://www.newtscards.com/secret_weapon_death_playing_cards.asp
    Where did the concept that the ace of spades was a bad omen originate? Apparently in the distant past. The history of the ace of spades goes all the way back to the age of pirates. The single spot on the card could put you "on the spot" or in danger. The origin of this expression goes back to 18th-century pirates whose back-up symbol for intimidation (after the skull and crossbones) was the dreaded ace of spades with its single black spot. This card was intentionally shown to a traitor or informer as warning that his life was in danger. Anyone sent an ace of spades was "on the spot."


  • #3
    PunyHuman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 297 ✭✭PunyHuman


    Remember this from Treasure Island. Poor old Billy Bones was presented with the dreaded black spot and promptly died of fright.

    Etymonline baldly states, without further explanation:

    "To put (someone) on the spot "place in a difficult situation" is from 1928."

    But dictionary.com say that the sense of the word 'spot' in the phrase 'on the spot' is from the late 1600s.

    There's also this

    http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=Johnny-on-the-spot


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