Topic: Origin of Grasping at Straws
Answers to Common Questions
What is the origin of the phrase grasping at straws?
"Grasping at straws" has been traced back to 'Dialogue of Comfort... Read More »
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What is the meaning of the idiom for grasping at straws?
It refers to the image of a drowning person who clutches at straws trying to keep afloat. It means "reduced to desperate, hopeless maneuvers." Read More »
Source: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_meaning_of_the_idiom_for_gr...
What does grasping for straws mean?
To make a final, desperate effort:The candidate made a few last attempts to discre... Read More »
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Answers to Other Common Questions
From Wentworth & Flexner, Dictionary of American Slang, 1960 edition: "'Origin of term: the boss attended to the grain going into the thresher; the second-man watched after the straw coming out and hence had little to do.' H. F. Barker. Col... Read More »
Source: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Origin+of+the+word+straw+boss
Source: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_origin_of_the_phrase_the_la...
"Grasping at straws" means to make a desperate attempt at saving one... Read More »
Source: http://www.chacha.com/question/what-does-the-expression-grasping-...
The proverb has been traced back to 'Dialogue of Comfort Against ... Read More »
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The phrase "grasping at straws" comes from the practice of drawing straws. The shortest straw drawn got the dreaded task. Read More »
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This metaphoric expression alludes to a drowning person trying to save himself... Read More »
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A DROWNING MAN WILL CATCH AT STRAWS - "A desperate person will try anything to save himself, no matter how unlikely. The proverb has been traced back to 'Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation' (1534) by Thomas More (1478-1535). First cite... Read More »
Source: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060809095820AArt36S
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