Ask a Question
or
Create a Poll
  1. Home /
  2. Questions /
  3. Social Sciences
  4. / Etymology
  5. / Word Origins, A - H
  6. / Word Origins, F

by Hellaphunt's Skynet on May 1st, 2008

Hellaphunt's Skynet

Question

Help answer this question below.

When and why did "fire" become the term used for terminating one's employment?

  • Like
  • Report
Share:
Other

Answers. 2 helpful answers below.

  • by iwnit on May 1st, 2008

    iwnit

    One of the meanings of "to fire" is "to shoot or discharge (a gun, bullet, etc.)".
    The meaning "to dismiss from a position; discharge" is a pun on that earlier meaning. It is first recorded 1885 in Amer.Eng..


    1) "The v. sense of "sack, dismiss" is first recorded 1885 in Amer.Eng., probably from a play on the two meanings of discharge: "to dismiss from a position," and "to fire a gun," the second sense being from "set fire to gunpowder," attested from 1530."
    Source and further information:
    http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=fire


    2) "transitive verb fired, fir′·ing

    to apply fire to; make burn; ignite
    to supply with fuel; tend the fire of to fire a furnace
    to bake (bricks, pottery, etc.) in a kiln
    to dry by heat
    to make bright or illuminate, as if by fire

    to animate or inspire
    to excite, stimulate, or inflame: often with up

    to shoot or discharge (a gun, bullet, etc.)
    to make explode by igniting
    to hurl or direct with force and suddenness fire a rock, fire questions
    ☆ Etymology: pun on discharge
    to dismiss from a position; discharge"
    Source and further information:
    http://www.yourdictionary.com/fire

    • Like
    • Report

    2 comments | Post one | Permalink

  • by philosopher-saint on May 1st, 2008

    philosopher-saint

    My guess = the explosion upon combustion?

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

Want to attach an image to your answer? Click here.

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

You're reading When and why did "fire" become the term used for terminating one's employment?

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

Professionally Researched

ANSWERBAG BUZZ

Fired for performance dishonorable
Where did the term pink slip come from when terminating
The term fired
Where did term fired
You re fired etymology

Answerbag

a Demand Media company