What is the origin of the phrase 'to have a chip on one's shoulder'? It sounds American, but where or when?
- TO ANY North American the origin of the phrase "a chip on one's shoulder" can be a painful memory. My first experience of it, more than 60 years ago, was as an English child in a Canadian playground. The school bully picked a chip of wood from the ground, placed it on his shoulder, and invited me to knock it off. I did so, and was felled by his fist. In time I learnt that the best method of avoiding an unwanted fight, or the taint of cowardice in refusing the challenge, was to place another chip on my own shoulder and dare my opponent (who was sometimes my friend) to knock that off first. This usually succeeded, and the affair ended painlessly in taunting shouts and honours even. John Prebble, Kingswood, Surrey.
- TO ANY North American the origin of the phrase "a chip on one's shoulder" can be a painful memory. My first experience of it, more than 60 years ago, was as an English child in a Canadian playground. The school bully picked a chip of wood from the ground, placed it on his shoulder, and invited me to knock it off. I did so, and was felled by his fist. In time I learnt that the best method of avoiding an unwanted fight, or the taint of cowardice in refusing the challenge, was to place another chip on my own shoulder and dare my opponent (who was sometimes my friend) to knock that off first. This usually succeeded, and the affair ended painlessly in taunting shouts and honours even. John Prebble, Kingswood, Surrey.
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