[eeyore]

Originally Posted by pheonix

The true origin of this saying is from when people would get whipped on ships, the officer would get the persons mate to do the whipping so they would have the saying 'you scratch my back i'll scratch yours'. Another one from sailers is 'not enough room to swing a cat', rffering to not being able to whip a cat'n'nine tails below deck.

and "letting the cat out of the bag" as the cat o nine tails was kept in a red baize bag and let out just before punishment commenced.

also "holding on to the bitter end" referreing to running out your anchor cable to the far end - that is the part secured to the bitts.