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    Where does the "bitter" of the expression "to the bitter end" come from?

    Question #126052. Asked by star_gazer. (May 28 12 2:45 PM)


    timence

    		There are a few theories on this, the main one pointing to Naval origins.

    Captain Smith notes in his 1624 book, Seaman's Grammar:

    "A Bitter is but the turne of a Cable about the Bits, and veare it out by little and little. And the Bitters end is that part of the Cable doth stay within boord."

    http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/the-bitter-end.html


    May 28 12, 4:15 PM

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