Upset his applecart

Posted by R. Berg December 18, 2005In reply to Upset his applecart posted by leanne on December 17, 2005

Does anyone have data as to where the phrase "upset his applecart" come from?

According to Eric Partridge's A Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English "apple-cart" is a colloquial word for the human body. Partridge cites a 1788 book that says "down with his apple-cart" means "knock or throw him down." He says, "In 'upset the apple-cart' there seems to be a merging of two senses: body and, in dialect, plan; originating [approximately] 1800."

Replies

Upset his applecart James Briggs 18/December/05
- Upset his applecart R. Berg 18/December/05