Ask a Question
or
Create a Poll
  1. Home /
  2. Questions /
  3. Social Sciences
  4. / Etymology
  5. / Phrase Origins

by Anonymous on December 6th, 2006

Anonymous

Question

Help answer this question below.

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?

  • Like
  • Report
Share:
Other

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.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by beelzaboss on July 31st, 2009

    beelzaboss

    when uncle sam beat his nephews

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by hemiman on December 8th, 2006

    hemiman

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

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • 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.

    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 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?

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

Professionally Researched

ANSWERBAG BUZZ

Why do we say uncle to give up
What does say uncle mean
Why do people say uncle when they give up
Why do you say uncle to give up
What does it mean when you cry uncle

Answerbag

a Demand Media company