Comments on: Hell bent for leather http://www.word-detective.com/2009/10/hell-bent-for-leather/ Semper Ubi Sub Ubi Wed, 20 Mar 2013 19:32:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Caro Ness http://www.word-detective.com/2009/10/hell-bent-for-leather/comment-page-1/#comment-56300 Caro Ness Tue, 05 Mar 2013 13:44:17 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=2058#comment-56300 In the UK it is just "hell for leather" In the UK it is just “hell for leather”

]]> By: john http://www.word-detective.com/2009/10/hell-bent-for-leather/comment-page-1/#comment-55762 john Thu, 14 Feb 2013 23:50:11 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=2058#comment-55762 Don't know for sure. But I do know I've heard it forever on the Racetrack. Since I was a teen anyway. I'll be 60 this year, and will still be riding "hell bent for leather" at times. We have the fastest horses alive, and Thoroughbreds are way less predictable than motorcycles. Trust me, I've ridden both since the 60's. Don’t know for sure. But I do know I’ve heard it forever on the Racetrack. Since I was a teen anyway. I’ll be 60 this year, and will still be riding “hell bent for leather” at times. We have the fastest horses alive, and Thoroughbreds are way less predictable than motorcycles. Trust me, I’ve ridden both since the 60′s.

]]> By: SweetViolet http://www.word-detective.com/2009/10/hell-bent-for-leather/comment-page-1/#comment-55235 SweetViolet Fri, 01 Feb 2013 16:10:08 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=2058#comment-55235 Y'all can second-guess all you want, but I grew up with folks who talked like this and I have to tell you, all the speculation in the world doesn't change what it means: moving real fast and determined-like. Both my father and my grandfather (who was born in he 19th century) used the phrase. An example from my granddad, describing an adventure of one of his dogs: "And there he come outta them woods, runnin' hell bent for leather for the pond, a whole swarm of honey bees, mad as hornets, on his tail!" Y’all can second-guess all you want, but I grew up with folks who talked like this and I have to tell you, all the speculation in the world doesn’t change what it means: moving real fast and determined-like.

Both my father and my grandfather (who was born in he 19th century) used the phrase. An example from my granddad, describing an adventure of one of his dogs: “And there he come outta them woods, runnin’ hell bent for leather for the pond, a whole swarm of honey bees, mad as hornets, on his tail!”

]]> By: joe cairo http://www.word-detective.com/2009/10/hell-bent-for-leather/comment-page-1/#comment-55101 joe cairo Wed, 30 Jan 2013 17:11:30 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=2058#comment-55101 "Hell Bent" means pulled from the straight path of virtue, forsaking common-sense for a thrill. Tossing Caution to the winds, so to speak. "For Leather refers to the saddle you'd need to ride horse for a distance at speed. Only a jockey would carry a whip. Being "bent" on something is to have a predilection for it, or something a bit more obsessive. "Hell-bent for glory" is another variation of the phrase which underscores the zeal in which being "hell-bent" is often viewed. “Hell Bent” means pulled from the straight path of virtue, forsaking common-sense for a thrill. Tossing Caution to the winds, so to speak.

“For Leather refers to the saddle you’d need to ride horse for a distance at speed. Only a jockey would carry a whip.

Being “bent” on something is to have a predilection for it, or something a bit more obsessive.

“Hell-bent for glory” is another variation of the phrase which underscores the zeal in which being “hell-bent” is often viewed.

]]> By: George Hanover http://www.word-detective.com/2009/10/hell-bent-for-leather/comment-page-1/#comment-54632 George Hanover Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:40:13 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=2058#comment-54632 A final thought: "hell for leather" is right..."hell on leather" wouldn't be used in such slang language, I was wrong about that little item. The example quoted about riding "hell for leather" is right because he's being asked to ride in such a way that it is literally "hell" on the leather. A final thought: “hell for leather” is right…”hell on leather” wouldn’t be used in such slang language, I was wrong about that little item. The example quoted about riding “hell for leather” is right because he’s being asked to ride in such a way that it is literally “hell” on the leather.

]]> By: George Hanover http://www.word-detective.com/2009/10/hell-bent-for-leather/comment-page-1/#comment-54631 George Hanover Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:37:58 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=2058#comment-54631 Also I must add, this reminds me of the silly American phrase "the proof is in the pudding". Now that is a dumb one, because "the proof of the pudding is in its taste" or words to that effect--so you have Americans buggering up all sorts of pretty, colorful expressions by saying them all wrong. Same is true for the misuse of the two phrases, "hell-bent" and "hell on leather" (correct usage) which somehow comes out as "hell for leather". Also I must add, this reminds me of the silly American phrase “the proof is in the pudding”. Now that is a dumb one, because “the proof of the pudding is in its taste” or words to that effect–so you have Americans buggering up all sorts of pretty, colorful expressions by saying them all wrong. Same is true for the misuse of the two phrases, “hell-bent” and “hell on leather” (correct usage) which somehow comes out as “hell for leather”.

]]> By: George Hanover http://www.word-detective.com/2009/10/hell-bent-for-leather/comment-page-1/#comment-54630 George Hanover Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:35:09 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=2058#comment-54630 What is missing in the discussion is the American usage of "hell"--as in "give 'em hell" and a favorite where I live, "particular hell". In this use, "hell" seems to mean "tough", "difficulty" and "hardship"--or even physical torture. That has to be borne in mind: hell for leather was that you rode so hard it was "hell" on the leather (very hard on the leather). I think the responder to the original query missed this common usage of "hell". What is missing in the discussion is the American usage of “hell”–as in “give ‘em hell” and a favorite where I live, “particular hell”. In this use, “hell” seems to mean “tough”, “difficulty” and “hardship”–or even physical torture. That has to be borne in mind: hell for leather was that you rode so hard it was “hell” on the leather (very hard on the leather). I think the responder to the original query missed this common usage of “hell”.

]]> By: dave http://www.word-detective.com/2009/10/hell-bent-for-leather/comment-page-1/#comment-52524 dave Sun, 30 Dec 2012 19:22:24 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=2058#comment-52524 Well, now we know where they went... you ate 'em all! Two a day... sheesh... that's 730 a year, from 1990 till 2001 when they disappeared, that's 8130 donuts... Well, now we know where they went… you ate ‘em all! Two a day… sheesh… that’s 730 a year, from 1990 till 2001 when they disappeared, that’s 8130 donuts…

]]> By: Inquiring Mind http://www.word-detective.com/2009/10/hell-bent-for-leather/comment-page-1/#comment-52187 Inquiring Mind Sat, 29 Dec 2012 18:57:40 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=2058#comment-52187 stumbled on this neat site. I thought it was both... some said hell bent for leather, and some said hell bent FOR election. Regardless of interpretation, we know it means DETERMINED, and heading in a focused direction realllly fast and not stopping. stumbled on this neat site.

I thought it was both… some said hell bent for leather, and some said hell bent FOR election. Regardless of interpretation, we know it means DETERMINED, and heading in a focused direction realllly fast and not stopping.

]]> By: Ray44512 http://www.word-detective.com/2009/10/hell-bent-for-leather/comment-page-1/#comment-42374 Ray44512 Sun, 29 Jul 2012 03:15:33 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=2058#comment-42374 Reckless determination. Perhaps the song "Hell Bent for Leather" explains it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkAZBmTxDdY&feature=related Reckless determination. Perhaps the song “Hell Bent for Leather” explains it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkAZBmTxDdY&feature=related

]]> By: Dr. Derek Lamar http://www.word-detective.com/2009/10/hell-bent-for-leather/comment-page-1/#comment-40605 Dr. Derek Lamar Mon, 18 Jun 2012 05:13:39 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=2058#comment-40605 Well, "bent" means "twisted" and "twisted" means "perverse." And "leather" has to do with "Sadomasochistic" interests.... tied up with leather... and if you're twisted and perfected for such things you are going to "Hell," right? As to "What the hell are you doing?" It actually began as "What in Hell are you doing?" But when kids and stupid people get so excited about a "dirty word" they cain't think straight. Well, “bent” means “twisted” and “twisted” means “perverse.” And “leather” has to do with “Sadomasochistic” interests…. tied up with leather… and if you’re twisted and perfected for such things you are going to “Hell,” right? As to “What the hell are you doing?” It actually began as “What in Hell are you doing?” But when kids and stupid people get so excited about a “dirty word” they cain’t think straight.

]]> By: max http://www.word-detective.com/2009/10/hell-bent-for-leather/comment-page-1/#comment-38168 max Thu, 26 Apr 2012 01:19:16 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=2058#comment-38168 fil vidovus sounds like the most accurate to me. fil vidovus sounds like the most accurate to me.

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