Comments on: Go to the wall http://www.word-detective.com/2007/07/go-to-the-wall/ Semper Ubi Sub Ubi Wed, 20 Mar 2013 19:32:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Yael http://www.word-detective.com/2007/07/go-to-the-wall/comment-page-1/#comment-3883 Yael Thu, 28 Jan 2010 09:16:19 +0000 http://word-detective.com/wordpress/?p=107#comment-3883 Helena: Have you even noticed that this theory is actually referred to in the post? And mentions that 'there is no evidence that it was [the practice at the time]'? The only difference between that discarded folk etymology and your own is that you claim the medieval churches had no seats (at first). That sounds fascinating, but unless you can back that up somehow, I would assume it's the same discarded folk etymology. Helena: Have you even noticed that this theory is actually referred to in the post? And mentions that ‘there is no evidence that it was [the practice at the time]‘?
The only difference between that discarded folk etymology and your own is that you claim the medieval churches had no seats (at first). That sounds fascinating, but unless you can back that up somehow, I would assume it’s the same discarded folk etymology.

]]> By: Helena http://www.word-detective.com/2007/07/go-to-the-wall/comment-page-1/#comment-3863 Helena Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:37:53 +0000 http://word-detective.com/wordpress/?p=107#comment-3863 In England in Medieval times it was compulsory to go to church, but the churches had no seats. After a while a few sits were affixed to the wall for those who were elderly or otherwise could not stand for the whole time, hence original saying "the weakest go to the wall". In England in Medieval times it was compulsory to go to church, but the churches had no seats. After a while a few sits were affixed to the wall for those who were elderly or otherwise could not stand for the whole time, hence original saying “the weakest go to the wall”.

]]> By: Farmer1 http://www.word-detective.com/2007/07/go-to-the-wall/comment-page-1/#comment-3517 Farmer1 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 05:49:42 +0000 http://word-detective.com/wordpress/?p=107#comment-3517 In Western Canadian usage, there is no context of failure with this term, but more of the persevering, throwing everything into the fight meaning. This would also be consistent with the "I told my brother I would go to the wall for him" example you quote. A notable use of this phrase was by our Provincial Premier during the farm crisis of the 80's when he stated that "his Government would go to the wall for the Saskatchewan farmer". Premier Devine was also noted for the use of the phrases "give'er snooze, Bruce", and "never say whoa in a mud hole". Since he got his PhD at Ohio State, some of these usages may have been Americanism's rather than strictly Canadian. In Western Canadian usage, there is no context of failure with this term, but more of the persevering, throwing everything into the fight meaning. This would also be consistent with the “I told my brother I would go to the wall for him” example you quote.

A notable use of this phrase was by our Provincial Premier during the farm crisis of the 80′s when he stated that “his Government would go to the wall for the Saskatchewan farmer”. Premier Devine was also noted for the use of the phrases “give’er snooze, Bruce”, and “never say whoa in a mud hole”.

Since he got his PhD at Ohio State, some of these usages may have been Americanism’s rather than strictly Canadian.

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