![]() ![]() In fact, there are records of using mandrake as an anesthetic as early as the 15th century BC. At the time of the Civil War, different forms of anesthetic were used, including ether and, by 1847, chloroform.There are two primary reasons one should not believe that soldiers were biting on bullets: However, we can’t yet trust our resources without investigating further. ![]() These various sources helped create a cultural and social lore about the phrase’s origin. If you research the phrase, you’ll find that it dates from the days before anesthetics. Most academic and online sources support the Civil War theory. Considering the positive psychological effects of chewing, it’s not strange to think that biting bullets would help a suffering patient. ![]() More specifically, the bullet’s core is made of this malleable metal that can easily be scratched and bitten.Ĭhewing is related to feeding, which in turn is connected to safety. Therefore, if the patients had to bite down on anything, it might as well have been a bullet. The argument supporting this theory is that bullets were readily available on the battlefield. Therefore, the only thing offered to them to ease their agony was a bullet that they could bite down on. It’s thought that soldiers were operated on without the use of anesthetics. The most popular theory is that the phrase originated from medical practices in the Civil War (1861-1865). The phrase could have also been used during the Indian Rebellion. Other theories refer to the corporal punishments of British Army soldiers in the 18th century. Some theories say that it originated from the Civil War surgery practices. The phrase is thought to have been inspired by the military. Theories on the Origin of “Bite the Bullet” The following sentence from the novel contains the modern-day meaning of “bite the bullet”: This phrase is also later mentioned in the 1923 novel The Inimitable Jeeves by P.G. Men were raised to “bite the bullet,” and they were subsequently praised for it. Self-discipline and putting public needs before oneself was considered the greatest virtue, whether from men or women. ![]() Manliness in Victorian times was based on character, which was considered to be the ability to persevere in difficult times. No wonder this phrase began its written life in the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901). Therefore, this was the first time “biting the bullet” was used to signify “ bracing up through hardship.” “Bite on the bullet, old man, and don’t let them think you’re afraid.”īesides the men’s military background and the recurring war theme, there are no literal bullets in this part of the novel. “Steady, Dickie, steady!” said the deep voice in his ear, and the grip tightened. Amidst his despair, he hears the following comforting words from his best friend: The main character of the novel is Dick, who is an artist and a soldier. Although war is a predominant theme in the novel, the bullet is clearly used metaphorically. Victorian values such as stoicism and self-control resonate with the phrase. “Bite the bullet” first appeared in Rudyard Kipling’s “ The Light that Failed,” a novel written in 1891. The Earliest Documented Use of the Phrase “Bite the Bullet” ![]()
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