Beating the "tar" out of someone

Posted by Brent geppert on July 11, 2001

Does anyone know the origin of: "scarred the tar out of them or beating the tar out of someone"? My thinking is it has some religious connotation. Any ideas?

• Beating the "tar" out of someone R. Berg 07/11/01
  • Beating the "tar" out of someone Markitos 07/31/01