Katie in Kalamazoo, Michigan, wonders about the expression throw the book at, meaning to “try every means possible.” Did it originally involve literally throwing books? It’s just a metaphor in which the book refers to “the criminal code.” In the early 1900s, if someone got the book, they received the maximum sentence for a crime. So no, it doesn’t have to do with tossing books — although thwacking books has been used to relieve people of so-called Bible bumps. This is part of a complete episode.
- Listen on:
- Apple
- Spotify
- iHeart Radio
- »