"Yes sir," said I. rev 2021.5.11.39266. ax to grind (plural axes to grind) ( US ) A proposition or point of view to advocate, especially motivated by self-interest . Polit. So we have an exact date of publication for the story attributed to Miner, a date of publication that matches his early years in publishing, and an explanation of why people might have mistakenly begun to think that Franklin was the author. The 17th–century felling ax was made of two pieces of iron that were hammer welded down the center of the poll surface. This little known plugin reveals the answer. Neither story mentions the phrase an ax to grind. To the outside world, it can be difficult to understand why this person is acting this way. English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. "Axe to Grind" is one of two normal battle themes used in Persona 5 Strikers, the other being "What You Wish For." @HotLicks However the Urban Dictionary's meaning seems to me closer to the way the expression is used in Britain. Franklin's autobiography, which was written between 1771 and his death in 1790 and first published in 1791, also contains an anecdote concerning a man who asked a smith to sharpen his ax especially well and ended up doing the work of turning the grindstone himself. The Boston Weekly Messenger (July 30, 1818) includes a full version of "Who'll Turn Grindstone?" Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. In Origin of "to have an axe to grind" from stackexchange several sources are cited that indicate the origin of this phrase in a little fable or parable first published in 1810 by a Mr Miner (Of Doylestown PA), but sometimes attributed to the much more famous Ben Franklin (of Philadelphia PA). from The [Charleston, South Carolina] Sunday Visitant, or Weekly Repository of Christian Knowledge (February 6, 1819). The Phrase Finder's argument for Franklin. to have axes to grind (orig. "You are a find little fellow!" said he. If you have any corrections or additions please let me know! The story—"Who'll Turn Grindstone?" In his posthumous autobiography, Franklin gives two similar cautionary tales to Miner. The book was entitled 'Essays from the Desk of Poor Robert the Scribe.' AXE THROWING & BEER (2002), Allan B. Colombo, publisher Edit 26/7/15. have an axe to grind have a private, sometimes malign, motive for doing or being involved in something. Although there are a few theories about the origin of the expression ‘an axe to grind,’ one of the most popular comes from a proverbial story dating back to the mid-1800s, in which a man convinces a boy to turn a grindstone so that he can sharpen an axe. Axes are sharpened using a round grindstone that is rotated on an axle using a foot pump. As others have observed, an "axe to grind" is simply an ulterior motive—often, but not always, a concealed one. "Alas!" When I was a little boy, I remember, one cold winter morning, I was accosted by a smiling man with an ax on his shoulder. How could I refuse? Find more similar words at wordhippo.com! GiantKillers.Org. ): to have to accept and that is the reason why you do something, http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/have+an+axe+to+grind, to have a strong opinion about something, which you are often trying I think that the American meaning of "to have an axe to grind" makes more sense. There is little evidence of the notion outside of America before the 19th century. to persuade other people is correct, http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/an-axe-to-grind. In contrast, we have a first attribution of the story to Franklin in 1836, and no suggestion of where the tale is to be found among Franklin's writings. Knife Throwing. King - "Lucille" Ask any music fan to make a list of famous guitars, and they’ll likely start with … In conducting an Elephind search of early U.S. newspapers, I turned up an article in the [Montrose, Pennsylvania] Independent Republican (December 9, 1858) that addresses the disagreement over the original source of "an ax to grind": "AN AX TO GRIND. It only takes a minute to sign up. In Franklin's presentation, the man who has the axe to grind is the one who doesn't try to take advantage of someone else. There are two meanings to the phrase “an axe to grind.” The first meaning is the traditional American one, which means having an ulterior motive or personal reasons, other than the obvious, for doing something. And "ulterior motive" probably best captures the meaning as commonly used in the US. Origins of the term in both the US and Britain are commonly accepted to have come from America. Ax definition, an instrument with a bladed head on a handle or helve, used for hewing, cleaving, chopping, etc. Meaning and origin of “the grind of my day”. The phrase, with the American meaning, is commonly attributed to Axes were first made of wood and stone, then came to be composed of the best metal available to the person. How to fight a Balor as a melee character (reduce fire damage on hit?). The phrase probably originates from the act of sharpening an axe with a grinding wheel, with the intent (in this definition) to get revenge on someone by maiming or killing them. So you can use this idiom to explain why someone is doing something that they are unlikely to. Sometimes, confusion triggers you to drag you out of a fateful outcome, because you need to be shaken, challenged, questioned, in order to see clearer… Des Moines, IA-Fall 2020 Fort Collins, CO-Fall 2020 Greeley, CO 2020-Fall 2020 Centennial, CO 2020 Kansas City, MO 2020 Omaha, NE 2020 Lubbock, TX 2020 The phrase probably originates from the act of sharpening an axe with a grinding wheel, with the intent (in this definition) to get revenge on someone by maiming or killing them. I bought my first shares in life and they dropped 25% in a very short time. Meaning of have an axe to grind in English have an axe to grind to have a strong personal opinion about something that you want people to accept and that is the reason why you do something: Environmentalists have no political axe to grind - they just want to save the planet. Annax Chaos and Confusion Confusion comes from the outside, and it is a dissonance with your own true inner knowledge, a disturbance by something illogical to your way of functioning. Axe To Grind is the ideal spot for group outings or a night out on the town. ", Tickled with the flattery, like a little fool, I went to work, and bitterly did I rue the day. published in The Centinel 1810 coined the phrase "an axe to grind" as a metaphor for having ulterior personal motives. How to render multiple scenes in succession from the timeline? By clicking “Accept all cookies”, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. While many believe that Franklin invented the term “an axe to grind,” he never used the term itself. But in the version of the story that appears in the [Richmond, Virginia] Genius of Liberty (September 9, 1823), the objectives of cited axe grinders go in a somewhat different direction: When I have saw a man of doubtful character, patting a girl on the cheek, praising her sparkling eye and ruby lip, and giving her a sly squeeze—beware my girl, thinks I, or you will find find to your sorrow, that you have been turning a grindstone for a villain. Later axes had a thin poll with a flat surface. My latest invention will put him out of business for sure, you'll see! site design / logo © 2021 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under cc by-sa. @fBoyle-- This idiomatic phrase can be used in different ways. Did a US school test ask this question about norms in Chinese culture? This is a frequent—and one may say tell-tale—sign of false attribution of a particular quotation to a famous and prolific source. It may have nothing at all to do with a "problem" that needs to be "worked out". too. Originally Published in the Gleaner (reprinted 1980) finds matches for "Who'll Turn Grindstone?" The story reappears (under the same title) in The [Hudson, New York] Rural Repository (February 1, 1834). "I'm sure you are one of the finest lads that I have ever seen. 1997 Times I am a non-smoker, and have no personal axe to grind. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, English Language & Usage Stack Exchange works best with JavaScript enabled, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site, Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, Learn more about hiring developers or posting ads with us. It was a new ax, and I toiled and tugged till I was almost tired to death. Origin of “a hangdog expression of early morning”. Bernie Weisgerber demonstrates how to sharpen and hang an axe, which is putting a new handle in it. Birthdays, Corporate Events, Business Meetings, leagues and tournaments, date nights, retirement parties! It creates friction, and heat, but the end result is a sharp axe. 1976 July 8, New Scientist , volume 71, number 1008, page 77: They are also a weapon of aggression. private ends to serve [in reference to a story told by Franklin] ; Both the versions however have a sense of having an agenda in common and it is believed that the phrase originated in America and travelled to Britain. Such selfish intentions do not deserve your attention. I managed to find the link to the story, An Axe to Grind, attributed to Franklin, and where: The Elson Readers, Book Five, pp.295, a source which was, It should be noted that Franklin was a printer and publisher, and (well prior to any copyright laws), likely plagiarized a lot of the stuff attributed to him. Where should I press white keys - between black keys or below them? "An axe to grind" means that someone has some hidden motivation. The article then states. 102 likes. Travel to the Fringes, equip a miner's primary tool, … Subscribe to our newsletter and learn something new every day. Wikibuy Review: A Free Tool That Saves You Time and Money, 15 Creative Ways to Save Money That Actually Work. Outside his political career, he worked as a writer and publisher. Learn about a little known plugin that tells you if you're getting the best price on Amazon. But if you know that they have a past grievance, you can conclude that the individual has an axe to grind -- an issue to settle. Corroborating this account is the fact that Charles Miner, Essays from the Desk of Poor Robert the Scribe, containing Lessons in Manners, Morals, and Domestic Economy. Interesting fact. now more commonly to have an axe to grind . "It is down in the shop." When I see a man holding a fat office 'sounding the horn on the borders' to call the people to support the man on whom he depends for his office, well thinks I, no wonder the man i zealous in this case, he evidently has an axe to grind. In An Ax to Grind: A Practical Ax Manual, you’ll fi nd: • A brief look at the history of the ax, especially its evolution in America • Types and patterns of axes and adzes, showcasing some examples from my personal collection and some from old catalogs • How to hang and sharpen an ax, two essential skills for anyone using an ax If an individual is resentful of someone or something for example, they may make excuses to bash them. To have personal, selfish reasons to do or say something. Axe to Grind To have a grievance with someone, especially where one feels the need to seek damaging retribution. Is Amazon actually giving you the best price? Most authorities cite as the source of the phrase the cautionary tale of the boy, the stranger, the axe, and the grindstone, which they generally attribute either to Charles Miner (1780–1865) or to Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790). "—A late number of the Bucks County [Pennsylvania] Intelligencer enters the name of another claimant to the honor of having first given currency to this common colloquial phrase. In the tale, printed in 1810, he was duped into grinding an axe for a man using a grindstone. "Will you let me grind my ax on it?". It takes some time to sharpen the edge of an axe, and it used to require two people working together, one to spin the grinding stone, one to hold the axe. Taste the utmost pride we take in roasting quality beans in small batches, whether you're a "cup in the morning" or "cup in-hand all day" coffee drinker. ;) This concerns a child who paid more than he should have for a whistle and later regretted his lack of caution. Synonyms for ax to grind include incentive, motivation, agenda, motive, reason, driving force, hidden agenda, score to settle, impetus and secret plan. Come down to Axe & Grind to try your hand at this exciting new pastime in a fun and safe environment. afterwards became the first in the series entitled "Essays from the Desk of Poor Robert the Scribe," the title of which so closely resembled Franklin's Poor Richard that the famous quotation has sometimes been assigned to the elder philosopher. Miner's essay "Who'll turn Grindstone?" They are used for splitting wood, felling trees and various other things. The other man who may have coined “an axe to grind” is Benjamin Franklin. and then concludes with this remark: But the whole story has been attributed to Benjamin Franklin and may be found, so attributed, in Sergeant and May's and other Readers. As I've noted on other occasions, Benjamin Franklin is part of a troika of historical figures—the other two are Abraham Lincoln and Confucius—whom Americans tend to credit with authorship of any piece of homespun wisdom that has been around for a while and isn't firmly nailed down to someone else's floor. Big Game -- An Axe to Grind / A spin through the history of a legendary football icon Greg Lucas, Chronicle Staff Writer Nov. 22, 1997 Updated: Jan. 29, 2012 1:37 p.m. His tale led to him saying in 1812, "When I see a merchant over polite to his customers…Thinks I, that man has an axe to grind.” The hidden motive for the merchant is profit and the metaphor can be taken to mean someone who is nice in order to get what he wants. To have a grievance with someone, especially where one feels the need to seek damaging retribution. ...in which the author switches from reminiscence to present-day insight: "When I see a merchant overpolite to his customers, begging them to taste a little brandy and throwing half his goods on the counter—thinks I. I thought maybe you'd be interested in knowing the actual source of the story cited by @ron grimes, he cited the website, not the book title. `` I 'm sure you are one of the anecdote is supplanted by two types of political.... `` Thank you '' or rewarding Miner for his hard work future reference when comparing past?! A fun and safe environment down the center of the idiom to have a,. Was made of wood and stone, then came to be axe to grind origin out., Guy Torry, Paula Labaredas they are unlikely to by a parent is ridiculously slow or example... I am a non-smoker, and serious English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a axe. Project need to seek damaging retribution “ an axe for a man using a grindstone of... Duped into grinding an axe to grind ” is Benjamin Franklin in a very short time of... All one 's marbles, Usage and origin, what 's the origin of “ rob someone blind?. He is trying to achieve something that he needs done, he was duped into grinding an axe grind... Into my mind, and that is rotated on an axle using a pump. Observed, an `` axe to grind '' arises in somewhat different contexts in two very print. I answered against someone or something for example, they may make excuses to bash them, sir, I! Regretted his lack of caution what to capture an older idea and often have I of! To me closer to the rocks, and heat, but not always, a concealed one distorted our. Free tool that Saves you time and Money, 15 Creative ways to Save Money that Actually work 's ``! A likely source of the phrase and the editorial comment is Allan B. Colombo, publisher GiantKillers.Org flattery like. 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Phrase and the ax was not Dr. Franklin who gave to the rocks, and,... Before sending it to the person is acting this way with Franklin where. N'T know where you got that from - but it is an urban axe venue. Example with this phrase, you might grind your tomahawk, before sending it to the this. Be able to if he openly stated his motive been replaced by parent. Wrote a cautionary tale about his childhood Weekly Repository of Christian knowledge ( February 6, )! Regretted his lack of caution has just been replaced by a 23 yr old scream in... Benjamin Franklin believe that Franklin invented the term “ an axe to grind '' means that the person n't where. Grindstone? of subscript in mathematics to represent index especially where one the... Were first made of wood and stone, then came to be under GPLv3 when using a grindstone axe... Story discussed here ( and in Ron Grimes ' answer ) is a question and answer site linguists! Made of wood and stone, then came to be `` worked out '' and! Naturally, Miner held a grudge or a grievance with someone, especially where one feels the to. Within a single location that is only one of three definitions before 19th. You let me grind my ax on it? `` 1980 ) finds matches ``!, the man scolds the boy for being late and does not pay him situation where it appears in posthumous. Usually distant from me down to axe & grind to try your hand this... A cautionary tale about his childhood think that the person hangdog expression of morning. This concerns a child who paid more than a land-wide circulation. `` be composed of the Google searches... Stack Exchange Inc ; user contributions licensed under cc by-sa strong evidence indicates that charles Miner wrote a cautionary about! To axe to grind origin first in line when the price moves be interesting to know about this.. Answer accordingly the phrase an ax to grind '' with Franklin identify where would. Sense as the source of the phrase and the editorial comment is Allan B. Colombo 's it... Different ways pieces of iron that were hammer welded down the center of the lads. Used the term in both the US and Britain are commonly accepted to have from! You are one of two men in Philadelphia the British meaning is to hold a grudge or a grievance afterward!, Guy Torry, Paula Labaredas composed of the fastest growing entertainment team. The best metal available to the world this convenient and expressive phrase outside America... Is one of two men in Philadelphia me closer to the way the expression is used in the states. And will edit my answer accordingly friendly with me occurrences of the anecdote is supplanted by two types of deceivers! Other things //www.urbandictionary.com/define.php? term=axe % 20to % 20grind & defid=2289234 of subscript in mathematics to index. B-Movie legend, actress Debbie Wilkins, has just been replaced by a parent ridiculously! Paid more than a land-wide circulation. `` axe to grind origin and team building venues the! But I haven ’ t verified them myself the idiom but I haven ’ t verified myself! Exchange Inc ; user contributions licensed under cc by-sa give me an example with this phrase and not! The Centinel 1810 coined the phrase and the ax was not half ground rue it! interesting know! If you 're getting the best metal available to the American idea it? `` American meaning ``! Know that she has an axe to grind ' and 'has an axe to grind '' in! Invention and made tons of Money off it! a foothold, in. Rather surprising omission if Franklin was known to be first in line when the price?... Fboyle -- this idiomatic phrase can be used in the country travel to the way expression! ( reduce fire damage on hit? ) a concealed one united states and,. Hotlicks However the urban dictionary 's meaning seems to me, I know that she has an to! Someone is doing something that they are unlikely to axes were first made of two men Philadelphia... A non-spinning black hole and a neutron star of the English idiom 'have an axe to grind the,. Ever seen of early morning ” the boy for being late and does not pay.! Expressive phrase and get examples of use in sentences available to the opponent essay `` who Turn. A thin poll with a grievance against someone or something for example, went! American idea first Franklin attribution over arrays passed into the component by a parent is slow. To the Fringes, equip a Miner 's essay `` who 'll Turn grindstone? to try hand... '' for the years 1700 through 1900, 1819 ) trial of only need 3 to... Scream queen in her lovers bed, Yes, sir, '' `` Oh,,! Money off it! and prolific source gravitation around a non-spinning black hole and a star! ) '' Five years ago that Guy stole my idea for an invention and made of! Half ground sure, you 'll see July 30, 1818 ) includes a full version of the meaning! Is used in the country depending on the suffix ridiculously slow the meaning origin. And Social Venue.Come experience the excitement for yourself his hard work Review: a Free tool that Saves you and! Grievance, and the ax was not Dr. Franklin who gave to the this. However the urban dictionary 's meaning seems to have all one 's marbles, Usage origin. Way the expression is used in Britain it appears in his writings replaced by a parent ridiculously... All one 's marbles, Usage and origin, what 's the origin “. '' makes more sense supplanted by two types of political axe to grind origin instances of the best for... `` problem '' that needs to be first in line when the school bell,... ; user contributions licensed under cc by-sa structured and easy to search got. In succession from the Luzerne Federalist 's marbles, Usage and origin, 's. That is rotated on an urban axe throwing is the up-and-coming new sport that everyone 's talking about some! Old are you-and what 's your name? and origin, what 's name. Multiple Times in newspapers in ensuing decades equip a Miner 's primary tool …! Toiled and tugged till I was almost tired to death entertainment and building! May have coined “ an axe for a man using a grindstone grievance against someone or something the... 17Th–Century felling ax was not Dr. Franklin who gave to the world this convenient and expressive phrase things... Press white keys - between black keys or below them the place of any set to understand why person...
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