Comments on: From scratch

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:48:53 +0000

Re. scratch golfer, would the following from the main text not explain:

In foot races, the “scratch” was the starting line, and “to start from scratch” meant to run the race with no advantage, no handicap or head start, i.e., “with nothing.”

By: Charlie N.

Charlie N. — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 18:06:43 +0000

How about “scratch” golfer?

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Fri, 11 Jun 2010 05:18:02 +0000

[...] From scratch « The Word Detective [...]

By: Rosemarie

Rosemarie — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 06:05:25 +0000

‘ Unfortunately, “scratch” as slang for “money,” which appeared in the early 20th century, is a complete mystery. ‘

Could it be that money is what you need to start with? In the same way that flour, sugar, and vanilla are “scratch ingredients” for making a cake “from scratch,” as you so eloquently explain!

By: Greg

Greg — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 17:35:12 +0000

Well, now, as I first heard it, “from scratch” meant that a cake was being made starting with a scratching of one’s head, as if to summon a cake from pure thought.