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What is the origin of the saying, "Caught with your pants down?"

Question #107344. Asked by star_gazer.

Related Trivia Topics: Idioms and Proverbs  
Chi3165
Answer has 2 votes
Chi3165

Answer has 2 votes.
From "A Hot On Ice & Other Curious Expressions: The origin & development of the pungent & colorul phrases we all use" by Charles Earle Funk.

"The figurative meaning is, of course, to be taken completely by surprise; to be wholly unprepared. But the literal meaning, I think, takes us back to the days when white frontiersmen were exposed to peril if their muskets were not actually at hand. Even at the risk of death, the wants of nature must be met, and in such circumstances a lurking Indian would indeed catch one in a state of embarrassing unpreparedness."

Feb 21 2004, 11:58 AM
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Prison star
Answer has 3 votes
Currently Best Answer
Prison star
15 year member
100 replies avatar

Answer has 3 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
There are a few theories.

1. Marcus Antoninus was on a journey when he had to relive himself. His guard gave him privacy and while he was relieving himseld, Julius Martailis rushed up to him and killed him.

2. Frontiersmen couldn't go anywhere without danger. But man is bound by his bowels, and weapons were taken along when they had to go so he couldn't be caught unprepared.

3. A cheating husband would be caught without any pants.

link http://grahams-random-ramblings.blogspot.com/2008/09/meaning-and-origin-of-caught-with-his.html

Jul 23 2009, 6:30 PM
snuiteke
Answer has 3 votes
snuiteke
17 year member
233 replies

Answer has 3 votes.
The Emperor Caracalla-a tyrant remembered for slaying his brother and building the extravagant Baths of Caracalla-was murdered by his own guards while he was relieving himself. That may be where the phrase "caught with your pants down" comes from."

link http://ancienthistory.about.com/b/2005/08/19/caught-with-your-pants-down.htm

Jul 23 2009, 6:42 PM
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