No skin off my back

Posted by Smokey Stover on June 10, 2005

In Reply to: No skin off my back posted by ESC on June 10, 2005

: : What is the origin of the phrase "no skin off my back"

: Guessing here: skin off one's back as in being whipped?

The OED cites several instances of "no skin off my nose" and various other places, such as "bugle" for nose, "off me" and "off my ass." It did not mention "off my back." It means, of course, "It's all the same to me," or "I don't care." SS

• No skin off my back ESC 11/June/05