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7 cze 2024 · Key Takeaways. The phrase "on the lam" means to avoid capture by fleeing from law enforcement. It originated in the late 19th century and was first used by pickpockets as a signal to escape from potential danger.
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According to the Online Etymological Dictionary, lam means: "flight," as in on the lam, 1897, from a U.S. slang verb meaning "to run off" (1886), of uncertain origin, perhaps somehow from the first element of lambaste , which was used in British student slang for "beat" since 1590s.
You may have heard of the slang phrase “on the lam” before. It’s important to know what this phrase means if you’re planning to use it in your writing. In this article, we’ll explore its meaning and its origin so you can understand it a little better.
11 paź 2024 · It refers to being on the run, typically used in the context of criminals or fugitives trying to escape law enforcement. Example: “After the robbery, the suspects went on the lam to avoid getting caught by the police.”. The phrase suggests a sense of urgency or trying to evade capture.
3 cze 2022 · Origin. The expression "on the lam" originates from the 16th century. The initial meaning of the word "lam" was to "beat soundly." By the end of the 1500s, the word was a part of the thieves' vernacular. Some experts believe Shakespeare introduced "lam" into everyday colloquial language.
29 kwi 2013 · “ ‘Take it on the lam’ is English in origin. Years ago, in England, ‘lamming’ was a game played with dice and a large tube of ointment. Each player in turn threw dice and then skipped around the room until he hemorrhaged.
on the lam. If someone is on the lam, they are trying to escape or hide from someone, for example the police or an enemy. He is currently on the lam, wanted for the sale and trafficking of cocaine. A Rhode Island banker accused of stealing millions has turned himself in after months on the lam.
