This may qualify as the dumbest post on the forum.

Does anybody know the origins of the phrase (slang?) "Gimme a break ?"

Come to think about it, I really don't quite understand its meaning. I think I know when to use it but what does it mean in a literal sense ? Any interesting story behind it ?

Hi indianaugust, and welcome.That better, Hev?. There absolutely is no such thing as a DUMB question. Why do I get the feeling someone out there is plotting to prove me wrong?

Dear indianaugust: I think you have picked a tough one to document. It is fairly old, and while common in conversation, is not very likely to have gotten into print. A "break" means a fortunate occurrence, good luck. The phrase means "do me a favor", as in asking cop not write a ticket. Or asking someone to stop finding fault with you.

break, n. [from the v.] as in "give me a break"

18. colloq. A chance, an opportunity; a piece of good luck; freq. with defining word, as an even break: an equal or fair chance. orig. U.S.
1911 H. Quick Yellowstone N. v. 126 It's allus an even break whether they'll stan' and freeze in their tracks, or chase after some bunch of+natives. 1911 Mulford Bar-20 Days xxiii. 231 Now he wanted an ‘even break’, where once he would have called all his wits into play to avoid it. 1918 I Man fr. Bar-20 xiii. 128 If th' stakes are high an' the breaks anywhere near equal, I'll risk my last dollar or my last breath. 1926 J. Black You can't Win xxi. 331, I could ‘take’ the spot if I got a fair break on the luck. 1928 Daily Express 11 July 12 The chances in the ‘quarter-mile’ seem to give the Americans only an even break for a first place. 1930 Publishers' Weekly 8 Feb. 705/2 These buyers and their stores get what are known as ‘the breaks’. 1938 G. Greene Brighton Rock ii. i. 62 A break like that's too good. Ibid. 72 We had a lucky break. 1948 L. A. G. Strong Trevannion 196 Give the boy a break, they thought indulgently. [OED]


()

This may qualify as the dumbest post on the forum.

Oh no, indianaugust, not even close. There's been some real dumb posts here ... fortunately, I think the worst is over. Yours on the other hand is a Question, and even in the right forum! Woo hoo! You're doin' real well... Besides, we'all mostly love having the opportunity to give a really DUMB answer Or at least, a completely non-related to the topic answer...

And to answer your question? Gimme a break, and read tsuwm's post... I can't beat that.

Hev