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No, this isn't an invitation to have an idealogical debate about vegetarianism... although that's how this matter came up for me. Where did the phrase "what's your beef" come from? How did it get from being 'the flesh of a slaughtered full-grown steer, bull, ox, or cow' to being something which is obviously an "issue"? I'm un-motivated to go looking for answers elsewhere, so I thought I'd pose this to y'all wise and learned ones from all over the world. So sue me.  
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
"Beef" meaning to complain is very old. Site below says 1880. No idea how it originated. http://www.panikon.com/phurba/alteng/b.html
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Joined: Dec 2000
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old hand
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old hand
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> No idea how it originated.
That really beeves me, Bill.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 833
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Feb 2002
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Site below says 1880.
but not for "beef" as a "complaint" - only for "beef" as "yell". The former meaning is given as dating back only as far as 1950.
Been racking my brains, trying to think up where/how it might have arisen....Because Wendy's (hamburger chain, for those who haven't heard of it) had that famous "Where's the beef?" ad far more recently than the '50s - otherwise that might have been the answer.
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Joined: Dec 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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not for "beef" as a "complaint" - only for "beef" as "yell"
That was Beef - 5, Beef - 6 is given as "To Complain." Recorded back to 1880.
OED Supplement gives an 1888 citation: He'll beef and kick like a steer an' let on he won't never wear 'em for its definition, to complain, grumble, protest.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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old hand
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old hand
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 I sit kerreckted. Thanks Faldage - sorry Bill! We are still no closer to how it arose, though, are we? [scratching-head e]
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Joined: Jan 2001
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Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jan 2001
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There's actually lots of funny expressions for complaining, and I tend to picture a hard-nosed father-figure (like a football coach or a drill sargent) saying most of them, like "Stop yer bellyachin'!"
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