Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84 exptools; site ihu1n.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!ihu1n!hobs From: hobs@ihu1n.UUCP (John A. Hobson) Newsgroups: net.nlang Subject: Re: Origin of "bought the farm" Message-ID: <286@ihu1n.UUCP> Date: Wed, 30-Oct-85 13:08:10 EST Article-I.D.: ihu1n.286 Posted: Wed Oct 30 13:08:10 1985 Date-Received: Sat, 2-Nov-85 02:42:56 EST References: <719@rtech.UUCP> Distribution: net Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories Lines: 14 > Does anyone know the origin of the phrase, "bought the farm"? > -- > Jeff Lichtman at rtech (Relational Technology, Inc.) When Roman soldiers were retired in one of the provinces, they were traditionally given a grant of land, so as to further the work of transplanting Roman culture among the barbarians. So if a man "bought the farm", he was no longer in the Army. It sounds a bit better than "killed". -- John Hobson AT&T Bell Labs Naperville, IL ihnp4!ihu1n!hobs