Comments on: Dead to rights

By: Trevon

Trevon — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 04:04:12 +0000

You can always tell an expert! Thanks for cotnirbuting.

By: El Sid

El Sid — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 20:41:30 +0000

This could be an example of US usage being fossilised whilst British usage has evolved. These days a Brit would normally say “bang to rights” rather than “dead to rights”, even if the latter is the phrase with the longer history.

I must admit, that to these British ears, TWD’s line seems most plausible. The average medieval lynch mob didn’t care too much about rights of appeal, but the circumstances of arrest did matter quite a bit, it was important to do it correctly. The ship theory is just fanciful, the religious theories forget that in that context it is spelt “rites”….

By: Ignatian-Mystic

Ignatian-Mystic — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 22:58:38 +0000

Personally, I think that the interpretations given by T.W.D., Matt, and some of the others could all be applied to the phrase in different situations. Whatever floats your boat.

By: Kristina

Kristina — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:31:45 +0000

I think it comes from the Catholic “Last Rights”, “dead to Rights” simply referes to be dead, after last rights…

Where one’s last rights are no longer availible…After death, you are judged, you cannot repent…

Odd little quirky Catholic phrase which has been popularized by repetition….

You won’t hear me use it, I am not Catholic…

:-p

By: BobH007

BobH007 — Thu, 26 May 2011 14:16:28 +0000

I’ve heard the term used mostly in a law enforcement concept, but wondered if it didn’t date back to the sea-faring days when an attacking ship had the victim ship perpendicular to its path, able to fire a broadside of cannon. That would be at ‘right’ angle and the vessel receiving the fire ‘dead to rights.’ It certainly has a more romantic connotation for me.

By: Interlineal P.E.Ruser _ P.robable E.rror

Interlineal P.E.Ruser _ P.robable E.rror — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 16:16:14 +0000

I dunno about ‘dead to rights/rites’ but I’m ‘read to diets’! Food for thought?

By: chris collingsworth

chris collingsworth — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 20:35:28 +0000

Duh, I can’t stop using this phrase during sunday night football. Maybe now I understand the true meaning, I’ll stop. I’m a lawyer!

By: KY HOLE

KY HOLE — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 15:33:53 +0000

I’m with G S.

By: W

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 15:21:50 +0000

I don’t know how I stumbled upon this forum, but the expression “dead to rights” is also used by people in Law Enforcement. My cousin told me a story about his SWAT experiences of approaching a front door and a man was hiding behind stuff with a gun pointed right at him, and that guy had him “dead to rights”

By: John

John — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 16:49:13 +0000

Steve is funny and G S is so right about the comments.

By: Tax Lawyer

Tax Lawyer — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:53:42 +0000

I’ve been active in taxes for lengthier then I care to acknowledge, both on the private side (all my working life-time!!) and from a legal standpoint since passing the bar and following tax law. I’ve rendered a lot of advice and righted a lot of wrongs, and I must say that what you’ve posted makes perfect sense. Please persist in the good work – the more people know the better they’ll be equipped to comprehend with the tax man, and that’s what it’s all about.

By: Terry

Terry — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:09:54 +0000

A person in our society has certain rights …right to an attorney, trial by his peers, right to face his accuser, Miranda rights (in the US) etc. But the person who is caught “dead to rights” is not going to be saved by these rights because the evidence is so strong and un deniable against him.