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Joined: Sep 2000
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stranger
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OP
stranger
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5 |
Greetings,
Would any of you know the origin(s) of the phrase, "out of whack." It's generally meant to mean something that's not lined up or malfunctioning. "This phone is out of whack." A whack, however, is like a hit or a blow. Any ideas?
Kindest regards,
elistar01
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Joined: Jul 2000
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old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,094 |
Of course. Whack is what keeps something in working condition, and when it doesn't have any more, it doesn't work and is thus "out of whack".
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Joined: Sep 2000
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stranger
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OP
stranger
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5 |
Greetings,
Ahh, so we apply the whack, tighten the bolts and let 'er rip. Where did this silliness begin?
Kindest regards,
Elistar01
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
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Belated welcome to you, elistar. I have delayed this
deliberately, 'cause I wanted to have the answer for you.
But alas, my sensibilities are now out of whack--I couldn't
find it on the 'net or the library resources.
The closest I came may or may not be a hint: a ref. to
baseball, where the next batter takes a whack. If whack in this sense indicates doing things in a certain order, then
out of whack would mean out of order, or wrong.
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Joined: Apr 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
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one of the senses given by M-W, without any gloss, is: condition, state; this almost looks like a back-formation from the slang phrase -- something is out of whack here!
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Joined: Jul 2000
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old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,094 |
Where did this silliness begin?
Well, I believe it dates back to Sumerian times, when artisans kept their carts well oiled with an amalgam of ground up wheat, pig lard, river muck. The name "whack" came about from combining the "wh" of wheat, the "a" of lard and the "ck" of muck, thus the wheels of their carts were kept running with a healthy application of "whack". This was a rather runny concoction, so after a few days they would have to re-apply the "whack". Most well-run businesses would keep a bucket or two of back-up whack with them, but these supplies could soon be used up, and they would be "out of whack".
Today's capricious piffle is brought to you by the letter "N" and the number "5".
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stranger
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OP
stranger
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5 |
Greetings,
Whoa, then! This is an astounding reply and precisely what I was looking for. You may ask why I would look for such deeeeep meaning over such a cliche phrase. Suffice to say, it's amazing what you can quibble about over caffeinated beverages. Thank you to everyone who has contributed!
Kindest regards,
elistar
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Joined: Mar 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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why I would look for such deeeeep meaning over such a cliche phrase. Suffice to say, it's amazing what you can quibble about over caffeinated beverages.Hmm-do I detect the presence of a(nother) prankster in our midst?? Goody! From now on I shall have my Wellies on! (for the deeeeep stuff, of course!) 
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Joined: Sep 2000
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stranger
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OP
stranger
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5 |
Greetings,
Okay, the baseball explanation has some potential logic to it. Otherwise we'd have to give the Sumerians great credit for their command of English words: wheat, lard and muck.
Kindest regards,
Elistar
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