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(ordered by seriousness) ESL Vocabulary Lists Parts of Speech Lists A-Z Idioms and Proverbs Tests and Games Top Tip Install a grammar checker
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Hit the Hay (Origin)
What Is the Origin of the Saying "Hit the Hay"?
The term "hit the hay" means to go to bed.Table of Contents
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Examples of Use:
- You look tired. Why don't you hit the hay for a few hours?
- I'm going to hit the hay early tonight.
Competing Theory
It originates from the practice of farm workers (which was a high proportion of the populace in the early 19th century) sleeping in haystacks. Supporters of this theory highlight that "hit the sack" was used far later than "hit the hay" (evidence).In both theories, the word "hay" is a metonym for bed.
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