phrases, sayings, proverbs and idioms at
Home button Home | Search the phrases.org.uk website Search | Phrase Dictionary | Put on the wooden overcoat

The meaning and origin of the expression: Put on the wooden overcoat

Put on the wooden overcoat

What's the meaning of the phrase 'Put on the wooden overcoat'?

To 'put on the wooden overcoat' is to die.

What's the origin of the phrase 'Put on the wooden overcoat'?

The 'wooden overcoat' is, of course, the coffin. There were variants on this theme: 'the concrete overcoat', 'the Chicago overcoat'. These latter two presumably coined in reference to the murderous methods of the Mafia.

The meaning and origin of the phrase 'Put on the wooden overcoat'.'Wooden overcoat' isn't recorded in many reference works and the origin is uncertain. It appears to be American in origin and most of the early printed citations come from the USA. The earliest that I can find is this piece from the Ohio newspaper The Coshocton Democrat, May 1870:

"If you want to get blowed up - if your life is insured in your wife's name and you want her to have the money immediately - buy some new-fangled burning fluid that is remarkable for its cheapness. There is no surer way of getting yourself into a wooden overcoat."

The 'new-fangled burning fluid referred to was petrol. No longer quite as cheap as it was but still just as flammable.

Gary Martin - the author of the phrases.org.uk website.

By Gary Martin

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Browse phrases beginning with:
 
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T UV W XYZ Full List