Where did the word “scratch” come from?
The dictionary says this “late Middle English: probably a blend of the synonymous dialect words scrat and cratch, both of uncertain origin; compare with Middle Low German kratsen and Old High German krazzōn .” Which means nothing. Somehow scratch I suppose is like a small beginning.
What are some idioms related to “start from scratch?
Idioms related to “Start from scratch” 1 Go back to square one 2 Go back to the drawing board 3 Make a fresh start 4 Wipe the slate clean 5 Make a new beginning 6 Begin again 7 From the (very) first 8 From day one 9 All over again 10 From the ground up More items...
What is the origin of the phrase'scratch the line'?
This phrase actually originated from boxing. "Scratch" was used to denote the line in boxing, which is where the boxers would position themselves before the match.
What is the meaning of come up to scratch?
These expressions include 'come up to scratch', 'scratch golfer', 'toe the scratch' (a variant of toe the line ), 'make from scratch' and 'start from scratch'. What all of these have in common is the notion of 'scratch' being the beginning - a point at which there is no advantage or disadvantage.
Where did the phrase start from scratch come from?
To create something from scratch is to make it without any ingredients or materials prepared ahead of time. The scratch in from scratch originally referred to the starting line of a race "scratched" into the ground, from which all runners would be starting without a head start.
What does the phrase starting from scratch mean?
Definition of start from scratch : to begin from a point at which nothing has been done yet Nothing like this had ever been done before, so we had to start from scratch.
What's another way to say start from scratch?
What is another word for start from scratch?go back to square onebegin againgo back to the drawing boardmake a fresh startmake a new beginningwipe the slate clean
What is another way to say from scratch?
What is another word for from scratch?ab initioinitiallyoriginallyprimarilyda capofrom first principlesfrom the beginningfrom the startto begin withto start with1 more row
Where did the word "scratch" come from?
This meaning originated in the sporting world, where 'scratch' has been used since the 18th century to describe a starting line that was scratched on the ground. Boxing, golf, cricket and also any sport that involves some form of race use lines on the ground as part of their regulations and historians of each sport encourage the belief ...
What does "start from scratch" mean?
What's the origin of the phrase 'Start from scratch'? As well as the common meaning of the word 'scratch', that is, 'a slight tearing or incision of the skin' , there is another meaning which is used in a string of phrases that include the word.
Who said "Stand firm to your scratch, let your bat be upright"?
The first time that such a 'scratch' is referred to in print is in a cricketing manual - John Nyren's Young Cricketer's Tutor, 1833, which records this line from a 1778 work by Cotton: "Ye strikers... Stand firm to your scratch, let your bat be upright.".
Where did the idiom "start from scratch" come from?
The idiom “start from scratch” comes from the field of sports, particularly cricket. Its origin dates back to the 18th century probably. The earliest known print is recorded in a cricket manual — John Nyren’s “Young Cricketer’s Tutor, 1833”, which records the following line from a 1778 work by Cotton:
What does "scratch" mean in cricket?
Here, scratch basically means the starting point. It was a line that was scratched in the ground to mark as the beginning point. In cricket, the batting and bowling creases are known as a scratch. So, “to stand firm to your scratch” would mean, “stand firm to your starting points”.
Where did the term "from scratch" come from?
5. It appears the term "from scratch" can be earliest derived from foot races, followed by other sporting events. Where the starting line was literally scratched onto the ground. There is even mention of it being use as a term in for a golfer who does not have a handicap.
What does scratch mean in cricket?
He writes for "start from scratch": 'Scratch' has been used since the 18th century as a sporting term for a boundary or starting point which was scratched on the ground. The first such scratch was the crease which is a boundary line for batsmen in cricket. John Nyren's Young Cricketer's Tutor, 1833 records this line from a 1778 work by Cotton:
What is scratch in cycling?
Scratch later came to be used as the name of any starting point for a race. The term came to be used in 'handicap' races where weaker entrants were given a head start. For example, in cycling those who were given no advantage had the handicap of 'starting from scratch', while others started ahead of the line.
