Put up your dukes...

Posted by James Briggs on June 09, 2003

In Reply to: Put up your dukes... posted by S. Ryan on June 09, 2003

: Any ideas on the origin of "put up yer dukes," when advising someone to prepare to defend himself?

This is circuitous rhyming slang. Duke of Yorks = forks = slang for fingers. 18th century

• One more theory ESC 06/09/03

See also - the meaning an dorigin of 'Put up your dukes'.