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by Anonymous on February 6th, 2008

Anonymous

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What is the origin of the phrase "elbow room"?

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Answers. 3 helpful answers below.

  • by randyv87 on April 6th, 2009

    randyv87

    I am reading a biography on Daniel Boone and the book attributes the phrase "I need more elbow room" to Daniel Boone, circa 1750's.

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  • by VSPrasad on February 23rd, 2008

    VSPrasad

    elbowroom:

    Date: circa 1540

    1 a: room for moving the elbows freely b: adequate space for work or operation <a lab with plenty of elbow room>
    2: free scope <elbow room to try new ideas>

    http://www.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=elbowroom

    1. ample room; space in which to move freely.
    2. scope; opportunity: a job with elbowroom.

    [Origin: 1530–40; elbow + room]

    http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=elbowroom&r=66

    Room to extend the elbows on each side; ample room for motion or action; free scope. My soul hath elbowroom." Shak.

    Then came a stretch of grass and a little more elbowroom. W. G. Norris.

    http://machaut.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/WEBSTER.sh?WORD=elbowroom

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  • by maesterthief on February 20th, 2008

    maesterthief

    It means that someone doesn't have enough room to move his arms and elbows around without hitting something or someone.

    I would imagine that someone thought that up for he was crowded and couldn't move his elbows freely, but it means other similar things now.

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