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by anguilla on April 9th, 2009
A couple of different sources say this:
The word rack in racking (one's) brain derives from the rack, the medieval instrument of torture on which a victim was slowly stretched. (This stems from the familiar rack 'a framework'.) This rack was used as a verb meaning 'to torture on the rack', and hence in the transferred sense 'to torture', and then figuratively 'to stretch or strain', which is the sense in rack (one's) brain.
It's also spelled "wracking."
by MasterS on October 4th, 2009
I don't know, and maybe i don't want to know this one, sounds like it could be morbid.
by Anonymous on October 4th, 2009
I think the it was just a coined phrase that was started by a pool hall owner.
by singwell-is off researching a lot on April 10th, 2009
It could have two sources, both, I think, closely related. One is that it is actually spelt "wrack": meaning damage, wreck or destruction. "Wrack" itself comes from the Old English "wraec", meaning vengeance or punishment.
Or else it is from "rack", to torture by pulling the body to pieces.
by SoDifficult on April 9th, 2009
Dangit... I read all about this yesterday and I completely forgot to tell you. It originates from the torture method of putting people on a "rack" and stretching them to the point that they will talk. It slowly became a reference to any type of stress, "I racked my nuts on the seat," or "you should sit down, you look racked." Shortly after, it was recorded being strictly applied to the brain.
There you have it, how's that for brain racking?
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Comments
Thank you anguilla. That makes total sense, I did notice the spelling error thank you.
by Happy to be me on April 9th, 2009