by Anonymous on December 6th, 2006

Anonymous

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Where does the saying "say uncle" come from? Remember when you were a kid and the bully would hold down the other kid and say "I'll let you go if you say uncle".... I know it means that you "submit/give up" but from what is the term derived?

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Answers. 4 helpful answers below.

  • by anonymous on August 16th, 2009

    anonymous

    I think it has to do with Uncle Sam too - the other side has to give up. For example, "Nazi's, say uncle!" or "Saddam, say uncle!" And they surrender.

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  • by beelzaboss on July 31st, 2009

    beelzaboss

    when uncle sam beat his nephews

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  • by hemiman on December 8th, 2006

    hemiman

    I dont know. It was "say calf rope" where I grew up.

  • by Tony_H1001 on September 4th, 2010

    Tony_H1001

    Two answers - Anacol is an old Irish word for mercy, but it probably goes back to Roman times when the cry was Patrue mi patruissime, which means Uncle, my best uncle. That would mean both submission to authority and asking for mercy because an uncle figure has great respect but is also more merciful than the father. Like avuncular (uncle like) is used to denote a kindly mentor figure who is firm but fair.

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