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

by Anonymous on September 28th, 2008

Anonymous

Question

Help answer this question below.

What is the origin of the idiom, too big for your britches?

  • Like
  • Report
Share:
Other

Answers. 1 helpful answer below.

  • by nighthawk on September 8th, 2009

    nighthawk

    Here are several examples of the origin of this idiom:

    1835 D. CROCKETT Tour to North 152 "When a man gets too big for his breeches, I say Good-bye."

    1879 [see BOOT n.3 1c]. 1893 H. MAXWELL Life of W. H. Smith I. ii. 57 Sometimes a young man, 'too big for his boots', would..sniff at being put in charge of a railway bookstall.

    1905 H. G. WELLS Kipps III. ii. S1 He's getting too big for 'is britches. 1929 W. FAULKNER Sound & Fury 270 You're getting a little too big for your pants." SS

    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 What is the origin of the idiom, too big for your britches?

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

Professionally Researched

ANSWERBAG BUZZ

Too big for your britches origin
Too big for your britches
Too big for your boots origin
Image of too big for your britches
What does the saying too big for britches

Answerbag

a Demand Media company