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Kaleva

(40,443 posts)

5. Often, when a person dies, they shit the bed.

Reply to Orrex (Original post)

Thu Jan 1, 2015, 02:59 PM

Jan 2015

When that happens, that person has passed the point of no return. When a mechanical device or situation is beyond any hope of repair, it has "shit the bed".

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When did the phrase "shit the bed" originate? (edited) [View all] Orrex Jan 2015 OP

I first heard it when I was about 3 years old. Lochloosa Jan 2015 #1

Doh! Orrex Jan 2015 #2

I believe it was started in Norwood Mass. in 1893 olddots Jan 2015 #3

I heard it first from a nursing home admin. Hassin Bin Sober Jan 2015 #4

Often, when a person dies, they shit the bed. Kaleva Jan 2015 #5

Well, yeah. I know what it means. When did that particular usage begin? Orrex Jan 2015 #6

Your question was first asked here at DU in 2004 Kaleva Jan 2015 #8

Cool--very interesting! Orrex Jan 2015 #9

I first heard it back in the 60's Kaleva Jan 2015 #10

In that same context? Again, interesting! Orrex Jan 2015 #12

I read it in 'Sterling's Gold' Joe Shlabotnik Jan 2015 #20

I always thought it was an obscene derivative of the idiom... Major Nikon Jan 2015 #7

That's an interesting--and logical--interpretation Orrex Jan 2015 #13

It's at least several decades old, probably older. NutmegYankee Jan 2015 #11

I guess the trick now is to find it in print from that era. Orrex Jan 2015 #14

It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia took that phrase to new extremes a couple years ago. Initech Jan 2015 #15

Found on a Sumerian clay cylinder. WinkyDink Jan 2015 #16

It was on a wednesday morning - just after taco tuesday lame54 Jan 2015 #17

That's awesome. Orrex Jan 2015 #18

I can honestly say I have never heard that expression Skittles Jan 2015 #19

I heard it as a child, 50 years ago.... MicaelS Jan 2015 #21