Where does it comes from "pull the other leg, it's got bells on"?

Question

What is leg and bells mean in the phrase "pull the other one, it's got bells on"

The meaning is given in any number of online dictionaries, and The Phrase Finder discusses the expression's origins. — Edwin Ashworth, Dec 20 '19 at 10:57
@EdwinAshworth - do you think that “sicava” a foreign new user is familiar with “The Phrase Finder” and if it is a reliable source? — user 66974, Dec 20 '19 at 12:39
@user067531 It's one of the basic research tools that users are expected to consult before asking a question on ELU. It's the go-to resource for phrase meanings and etymologies. // ELL was established especially with second-language users in mind, so that basic / easily (for linguists, more advanced users) researched questions would not appear on ELU. There are many websites devoted to helping with more basic questions; why shouldn't there be just one for more advanced users? — Edwin Ashworth, Dec 20 '19 at 12:44
Does this answer your question? Why does someone "pull my leg"? — JEL, Nov 12 '20 at 19:47

Astralbee · Answer 1 · 2020-11-06T12:44:01.120

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"Pulling one's leg" is an idiom which means teasing, or joking with someone, specifically by telling them something that is not true. You might reveal to someone that you were kidding about something by saying "I was only pulling your leg".

The phrase "pull the other one, it's got bells on" is said by people when they recognise that someone is joking with them. The inference is that they should pull the other leg, because it has bells attached to it and will make a jangling sound.

The origins of "pulling one's leg" are unconfirmed and there are a number of possible origin stories but according to the cited article it appeared in print at least as early as 1883.

The idea of a leg having bells attached is a reference to either Morris Dancing, or more likely medieval jesters, who attach bells to their ankles as part of their act.

edited Nov 06 '20 at 12:44

answered Dec 20 '19 at 09:44

Astralbee

2,680

The bells are on the other one? Interestingly, I've never parsed it as that. I've always parsed it as "pull the other leg; your statement has bells on it". The "statement having bells on" meaning that I heard your joke coming a mile off. – AndyT Dec 20 '19 at 09:57
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I read it as I know you're pulling my leg, try pulling the other one, it's got bells on it, as a counter (non-serious) leg-pull to suggest that they are gullible enough to believe that you actually have bells on the other leg. I see your leg-pull, and raise you my own – Smock Dec 20 '19 at 10:54
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@AndyT Your parsing doesn't really make any sense, when you think about it. There is basis for someone being "made a fool of" having bells on their leg, as jesters (or "fools") did. I don't see how a joke could have bells? But I'd be interested in anything you can show to support that idea. – Astralbee Dec 20 '19 at 12:07
@Smock Interesting, and I suppose it could be said with that intent - it doesn't conflict with the origin or meaning at all. – Astralbee Dec 20 '19 at 12:08
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@Astralbee - No chance of me finding anything to support my idea! As you say, it makes no sense. I'd just never realised how little sense my parsing made! – AndyT Dec 20 '19 at 14:56
The earliest appearance of the phrase in print appears to be in Billy Liar in the 60s. So either it was a Keith Waterhouse coinage or a phrase that wasn't widespread until his book/play/film popularised it.https://www.google.com/search?q=%22got+bells+on%22&lr=lang_en&safe=active&tbs=cdr:1,cd_min:1914,cd_max:1994,lr:lang_1en,sbd:1&tbm=bks&ei=TuX8XY-vMNGFhbIPq-Oa2AU&start=20&sa=N&ved=0ahUKEwiPjtaPwsTmAhXRQkEAHauxBlsQ8tMDCGw&biw=1366&bih=665&dpr=1 – Spagirl Dec 20 '19 at 15:16
@Spagirl While I can't dispute that, I strongly suspect it was in use before that play. Billy Liar is littered with Yorkshire dialect and northern idioms of the day. – Astralbee Dec 21 '19 at 20:43
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@jel I've revised that to the earliest confirmed date of 1883. – Astralbee Nov 06 '20 at 08:42
OED attests "pulling a leg" from 1852 in Arctic Miscellanies. – JEL Nov 06 '20 at 09:28
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@Astralbee I was born in Derbyshire in 1949 and I can remember "pull the other one it's got bells on" from the late '50s. When I got old enough to think about it I assumed, as you say, that it came from jesters (or fools) wearing bells on their legs. The idea that "the other leg" had bells on would suggest that another part of me might be gullible but the part that's talking has seen through you. By the way Morris sides have 'fools' who are really good dancers and act as clowns. – BoldBen Nov 06 '20 at 09:59
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@JEL Given that even the most scholarly articles on the subject say it is impossible to give a precise date I don't think it is a good use of our time trying to pin down the absolute earliest. I've updated the answer to reflect that the article I found shows to be "at least" that old. If the OP finds that particular aspect of the answer intriguing they can research it themselves. – Astralbee Nov 06 '20 at 12:45

score -1 · Answer 2 · edited Nov 06 '20 at 03:29

I'm pretty sure this phrase has a Biblical origin. In Genesis, Jacob and Esau were born twin brothers. Esau was the first born, but Jacob came close behind grabbing Esau by the heel. The Bible states, "And so they called him Jacob which means 'He grabs the heel' or literally 'He deceives'." It must have had a double meaning in their language. Jacob did live up to the name by later deceiving their father Isaac to steal the birthright from Esau. With the influence Christianity has had on western nations, I think people were familiar with this story and used this phrase to indicated someone's deception.

Where does it comes from "pull the other leg, it's got bells on"?

2 Answers2