Comments on: Hell in a Handbasket http://www.word-detective.com/2009/02/22/hell-in-a-handbasket/ Semper Ubi Sub Ubi Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:19:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Brook Bullinger http://www.word-detective.com/2009/02/22/hell-in-a-handbasket/comment-page-1/#comment-25453 Brook Bullinger Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:57:12 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/07/27/hell-in-a-handbasket/#comment-25453 Its a metaphor for casket. Basket = Casket/coffin Its a metaphor for casket. Basket = Casket/coffin

]]> By: Tyler http://www.word-detective.com/2009/02/22/hell-in-a-handbasket/comment-page-1/#comment-17205 Tyler Fri, 22 Apr 2011 18:27:46 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/07/27/hell-in-a-handbasket/#comment-17205 Actually, the expression, "the world is going to hell in a handbasket" referred not to the speed or ease of the journey but to the degradation/stigma of the act and the unfortunate chaos surrounding it. It does indeed derive from the handbaskets used to catch a criminal's head lopped off by a guillotine and was reflective of the uncertainty and chaos which surrounded the French Revolution when anyone could suddenly be put to death for just about anything and for seemingly no legitimate reason. It is also important to remember that having one's head cut off (ending up in a handbasket) was considered a particularly degrading and humiliating act. Actually, the expression, “the world is going to hell in a handbasket” referred not to the speed or ease of the journey but to the degradation/stigma of the act and the unfortunate chaos surrounding it.

It does indeed derive from the handbaskets used to catch a criminal’s head lopped off by a guillotine and was reflective of the uncertainty and chaos which surrounded the French Revolution when anyone could suddenly be put to death for just about anything and for seemingly no legitimate reason. It is also important to remember that having one’s head cut off (ending up in a handbasket) was considered a particularly degrading and humiliating act.

]]> By: superpipoy http://www.word-detective.com/2009/02/22/hell-in-a-handbasket/comment-page-1/#comment-15572 superpipoy Sat, 26 Mar 2011 16:39:06 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/07/27/hell-in-a-handbasket/#comment-15572 if that is an expression then so be it. i still can't see the resemblance of that phrase to its meaning. if that is an expression then so be it. i still can’t see the resemblance of that phrase to its meaning.

]]> By: Rhonda M. http://www.word-detective.com/2009/02/22/hell-in-a-handbasket/comment-page-1/#comment-4604 Rhonda M. Thu, 29 Apr 2010 03:22:47 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/07/27/hell-in-a-handbasket/#comment-4604 I just heard the other day on show about mining, they were talking about that phrase originating from mining. I can't remember exactly what they said, I just caught a bit of it. It had to be on either the History channel or history international or discovery channel or Natgeo. I just heard the other day on show about mining, they were talking about that phrase originating
from mining. I can’t remember exactly what they said, I just caught a bit of it. It had to be on
either the History channel or history international or discovery channel or Natgeo.

]]> By: Jenny Atkinson http://www.word-detective.com/2009/02/22/hell-in-a-handbasket/comment-page-1/#comment-4433 Jenny Atkinson Thu, 15 Apr 2010 18:10:54 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/07/27/hell-in-a-handbasket/#comment-4433 I wonder if the saying refers to the Mormon handcart pioneers. Leaving from Iowa City going to Salt Lake City. Particularly to the fourth and fifth companies who left in June/July 1856 and arrived in November 1856 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormon_handcart_pioneers I wonder if the saying refers to the Mormon handcart pioneers. Leaving from Iowa City going to Salt Lake City. Particularly to the fourth and fifth companies who left in June/July 1856 and arrived in November 1856

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormon_handcart_pioneers

]]> By: joey http://www.word-detective.com/2009/02/22/hell-in-a-handbasket/comment-page-1/#comment-4068 joey Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:25:41 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/07/27/hell-in-a-handbasket/#comment-4068 hi folks, you have a newsletter? and also,can you help me with the following meaning...there's a new england saying, "they have seen the elephants & heard the hooty owl." i welcome your help. if you answer it could you direct me. thanks, joey messina hi folks,
you have a newsletter?
and also,can you help me with the following meaning…there’s a new england saying, “they have seen the elephants & heard the hooty owl.”
i welcome your help. if you answer it could you direct me.
thanks, joey messina

]]> By: andrew cook http://www.word-detective.com/2009/02/22/hell-in-a-handbasket/comment-page-1/#comment-3736 andrew cook Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:04:19 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/07/27/hell-in-a-handbasket/#comment-3736 It seems like I hear someone say this expression every day. Here is my reply! Things are going to hell in a bandbasket: http://www.youtube.com/drewwcook#p/u/12/567v_GePgro It seems like I hear someone say this expression every day. Here is my reply!

Things are going to hell in a bandbasket:

http://www.youtube.com/drewwcook#p/u/12/567v_GePgro

]]> By: cj http://www.word-detective.com/2009/02/22/hell-in-a-handbasket/comment-page-1/#comment-3281 cj Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:24:41 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/07/27/hell-in-a-handbasket/#comment-3281 I always had the impression that the person going to hell in a handbasket was gliding merrily along, imagining that s/he was being lulled into something unknowingly. The analogy being that many can't see (or don't care to see) where they're headed, as long as they're comfortable in the process. I always pictured it as Moses floating along the river. I always had the impression that the person going to hell in a handbasket was gliding merrily along, imagining that s/he was being lulled into something unknowingly. The analogy being that many can’t see (or don’t care to see) where they’re headed, as long as they’re comfortable in the process. I always pictured it as Moses floating along the river.

]]> By: Arnold Ruiz http://www.word-detective.com/2009/02/22/hell-in-a-handbasket/comment-page-1/#comment-2156 Arnold Ruiz Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:16:36 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/07/27/hell-in-a-handbasket/#comment-2156 Words only mean what we agreethey mean. The same goes for phrases and stories.Parables are the thing.Get this sylogism. A domineerin personality creates a tyrant.A tyrant with power becomes an imperialist.We know power corrupsts. How can we be surprised that those to whom we give power will not turn on us. A safty clause is written into the contract called a fiduciary. Every government official has a duty t think in the best interest of his constituents before he thinks about his oun best interest. Legislators have droped the clause. Words only mean what we agreethey mean. The same goes for phrases and stories.Parables are the thing.Get this sylogism. A domineerin personality creates a tyrant.A tyrant with power becomes an imperialist.We know power corrupsts. How can we be surprised that those to whom we give power will not turn on us. A safty clause is written into the contract called a fiduciary. Every government official has a duty t think in the best interest of his constituents before he thinks about his oun best interest. Legislators have droped the clause.

]]> By: Arnold Ruiz http://www.word-detective.com/2009/02/22/hell-in-a-handbasket/comment-page-1/#comment-2153 Arnold Ruiz Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:12:54 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/07/27/hell-in-a-handbasket/#comment-2153 Hell implies the devil that he is throwing everyone into his handbasket implies to me the methodology of the antichrist. The people of Our world today are selecting for themselves the devil's handbasket. The handbasket is a mode of transportation.The destination fits the goal of the people conjoined in any democratic society in the world today. Denial of Christ. is antichrist. Hell implies the devil that he is throwing everyone into his handbasket implies to me the methodology of the antichrist. The people of Our world today are selecting for themselves the devil’s handbasket. The handbasket is a mode of transportation.The destination fits the goal of the people conjoined in any democratic society in the world today. Denial of Christ. is antichrist.

]]> By: Laura M http://www.word-detective.com/2009/02/22/hell-in-a-handbasket/comment-page-1/#comment-1991 Laura M Sun, 17 May 2009 03:14:53 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/07/27/hell-in-a-handbasket/#comment-1991 Possibly from old mining practice of lowering children down in baskets to mines through smaller shafts. Fast drop by hand and rope in more primitive mines. Loss of control would be death. Thus "Hell in a Hand Basket" meant a fast plunge into danger/death. Just a theory... Possibly from old mining practice of lowering children down in baskets to mines through smaller shafts. Fast drop by hand and rope in more primitive mines. Loss of control would be death. Thus “Hell in a Hand Basket” meant a fast plunge into danger/death.

Just a theory…

]]> By: C. http://www.word-detective.com/2009/02/22/hell-in-a-handbasket/comment-page-1/#comment-1985 C. Sat, 16 May 2009 19:48:40 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/07/27/hell-in-a-handbasket/#comment-1985 I always figured it derived from the conveyance of small animal companions --- lap dogs, kittens --- in such basket. Like, being carried there swiftly by an external power, with you gormless and ignorant of your doom. I always figured it derived from the conveyance of small animal companions — lap dogs, kittens — in such basket. Like, being carried there swiftly by an external power, with you gormless and ignorant of your doom.

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