What is the origin of the phrase "kicked the bucket" to refer to death?
612776
In Victorian England,people who were designated criminals used to be executed by hanging.They would stant on an overturned bucket while the executioner put the noose around their necks.After the clergyman's prayer and the victim's last words,the executioner would kick the bucket,causing the victim to become suspended and be strangulated.\nl don't know why it's the dead person who's referred to as having kicked the bucket..
470746
Remember to die is the literal translation.\n\nI've googled for it to find more info than just the translation. Here is some more info:\n\nMemento mori is a Latin phrase that may be freely translated as "Remember that you are mortal" or "Remember your death" (literally "remember mortality"). It names a genre of artistic creations that vary widely from one another, but which all share the same purpose, which is to remind people of their own mortality. \n\nFor more info you can click the link.\n\nTiff
564114
It all depends on the way you think and your opinions/religion. Maybe, you do go to Heaven, and continue life there. Maybe, you come back into life as a different creature. Maybe, the thoughts and soul become non-existent.\nNobody knows the answer to this question because after a person "kicks the bucket" they cannot communicate with us again (or so it is thought...?) So the living will probably never know.
785422
It's probably from Aesop's Fables. That's where most quotes like that come from.
335507
It's actually "Thou shalt not murder."\n\nLet me elaborate.  A "murder" is an unlawful killing.  For example, in the New Testament, Christ says that if a person hate without a cause, that person has murdered in his heart.  The operative words are "without a cause."\n\nGod ordered certain peoples to be killed because they had become so sinful, so evil, that they were hurting themselves and people around them.  For example, one king had conquered 40 other kings, cut off their thumbs and big toes, and then had them scavange for food under his table.\n\nEver try to pick up food with out thumbs or walk without big toes?\n\nWhat will become of the peoples God wiped out?  The Bible says that these people will be ressurrected.  They aren't banished to hell fire.  They will all be raised from the dead and have a chance to do better.\n\nSo it's really like God forcing them to take a nap until He can deal with them.
49983
That's an old saying. It is referring to taking your money with you after you die.
1021890
Ακόμα δεν απέθανα κι ανάψαν τα κεριά μου.\n\nThe literal meaning for this is - your family has prepared for your eventual death though you are still living.\n\nIt's a very interesting Greek Proverb.
821509
I read a magazine article saying that in the old days when they had a worker in their village they wanted to get rid of they burnt down that person's house so that they would leave the village. That is where "fired" came from.\n\nAt least that is how the magazine's Historic Trivia column described the origin.
70080
I've forgotten the exact details of the story,but once there was a man who for one reason or another was being unjustly hanged in Dublin.The hangman didn't tie the noose properly and instead of breaking his neck,the man slowly choked,hanging there.His wife begged for him to be released,but the only thing that the cruel judge would allow was for her to pull on his leg,speeding up his choking,and killing him faster.That's where the term comes from.
741742
I think it's a euphemism for "jacksh-t"\nSo now the question is, where did THAT phrase come from?
1170816
This originated in the early 1980s. It is generally regarded as an American expression. This item from the New York newspaper the Syracuse Herald-American, Feb. 1982, which is the earliest version in print that I can find, puts that in some doubt. It's in a piece by Jerry Buck, writing out of Los Angeles, about actress Lauren Tewes
700551
I believe it refers to death.  The term is the title of a poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson, about dying.  You can read it at the url below.
473222
There seems to be no etymology for the phrase, but it's likely either:\n\n(1) The person became rich through "filthy" ways -- monopolies, bribery, underground activities, etc.\n(2) The person is so wealthy that they no longer care about moral issues; s/he has become morally "filthy".\n(3) "Filthy" is just being used as a theatrical adjective, like the way that "phat" means "cool" and that "the bomb" means "the best".
557701
Is there a point to your statement or are you just engaging in Christian bashing. You make a blanket statement with no supporting evidence. Saying that murder and killing are the same thing displays a woefully limited view of reality. Do you equate killing in defense of family, country, or the helpless when these face a potentially lethal circumstance with cold-blooded murder. Even the dictionary does not support you contention \n\nv. killed, kill·ing, kills \nv. tr.\n\nTo put to death. \nTo deprive of life: The Black Death was a disease that killed millions. \nTo put an end to; extinguish: The rain killed our plans for a picnic. \n\nTo destroy a vitally essential quality in: Too much garlic killed the taste of the meat. \nTo cause to cease operating; turn off: killed the motor. \nTo tire out completely; exhaust: “The trip to work, and the boredom and nervousness of jobs, kills men” (Jimmy Breslin). \nTo pass (time) in aimless activity: killed a few hours before the flight by sightseeing. \nTo consume entirely; finish off: kill a bottle of brandy. \nSports. To prevent a hockey team on a power play from scoring during (a penalty). \nTo cause extreme pain or discomfort to: My shoes are killing me. \nTo mark for deletion; rule out: killed the story. \nTo thwart passage of; veto: kill a congressional bill. \nInformal. To overwhelm with hilarity, pleasure, or admiration: The outstanding finale killed the audience. \nSports. \nTo hit (a ball) with great force. \nTo hit (a ball) with such force as to make a return impossible, especially in a racquet \n\nmur·der  Pronunciation Key  (mûrdr)\nn. \nThe unlawful killing of one human by another, especially with premeditated malice. \nSlang. Something that is very uncomfortable, difficult, or hazardous: The rush hour traffic is murder. \nA flock of crows. See Synonyms at flock.
309549
i have never heard of that expression.  i believe it may be a combination of the sayings \n"heaven forbid" (i hope it does not happen) and \n"perish the thought" (don't even think about it).  \nwhoever used that expression probably meant to use one of those sayings.  they are similar in meaning.
470538
You're referring to Nietzsche's "God is dead" phrase.  Basically, humans are "killing" (note, it's killing, not killed) God by not paying attention.
1107089
I recall it originated from the time of the Egyptians where mummies would roll over.  This frightened the tomb keepers and that is why they were sealed and many false passages were created.  The term refers to the dead returning to haunt those who would continue to bring harm to loved ones or family.