The Expression “the bitter end” has been used to describe the conclusion of something distasteful since the mid-nineteenth century.
It’s a play on the word bitter, as in “sour,” and the nautical bitters, the posts on a ships deck where cables and ropes are wound and tied.
When securing the ship to the dock, or while at anchor, the very end of the rope or cable holding the vessel secure is called the bitter end.
We often call the conclusion of anything unpleasant “the bitter end”.
Related Posts
-
Why are some Cucumbers Bitter and Are Bitter Cucumbers safe to eat?
Cucumbers have been cultivated for thousands of years, and like many food plants, they have been improved by cross-breeding to accentuate the better and eliminate the bitter. Old recipes often include a de-bittering…
-
Where does the expression “to the bitter end” come from and What does it mean?
The phrase "to the bitter end" means: To the last extremity; to death or utter defeat. This expression has a double meaning, but it is hardly likely that the poetic resemblance between the…
-
What Is Moxie Soda Made of and What Makes Moxie Soda So Bitter Tasting?
Moxie soda, which originated as a patent medicine called "Moxie Nerve Food", is bitter tasting because it contains Gentian Root. The soft drink has a shockingly bitter aftertaste, credited with leading to the…
-
Why Is Coffee Bitter and Where Can I Find Coffee With Less Acid?
Acidity often gets a bum rap. Maybe it’s because of all the television commercials for drugs designed to control heartburn and acid reflux. But the acid in our stomachs (hydrochloric acid) is thousands…
-
Where Did the Phrase “Go For Broke” Come From and What Does the Saying Mean?
"Go for broke" came from the world of professional gambling and is over one hundred years old. It means to risk everything, no matter what the outcome. "Go for broke" was the motto…
-
Where Did the Phrase “On the Lam” When On the Run Come From and What Does the Saying Mean?
Being "on the lam" means to be on the run and became popular in the American underworld near the end of the nineteenth century. Lam is from the Viking word lamja meaning "to…
