Article: What's on your "Bucket List"?(The First Word: KEEPING IT SIMPLE)

We all know what a bucket is. But do you know why kicking one is associated with dying? The link between buckets and death can be traced back to way before 1785, when the phrase was defined in print in Grose's Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. ?To kick the bucket, to die."

In 16th century England, "bucket" had an additional meaning (and in some parts it still does). It also meant "a beam or yoke used to hang or carry items." The wooden frame used to hang animals by their feet for slaughtering was called a bucket. The animals often spasmed after death, hence the phrase "kicked the bucket."

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

In the famous words of Paul ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!