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What does Cry Uncle mean?
What does uncle mean in slang?
Why do people cry for their uncle?
When did cry uncle come out?
Feb 21, 2011 · There is no definitive history on the origin of the phrase, though there is plenty of speculation. The term, which is universally recognized as words that concede defeat (i.e., "I give up"), was ...
Nov 28, 1998 · This call by one child for another to submit or cry for mercy — which appears variously as say uncle!, cry uncle! or holler uncle! — is first recorded in print in the US early in the twentieth century.
cry uncle. To admit defeat or plead for mercy, especially in an informal physical contest of some kind. The brothers often play fought, but it was invariably the younger of the two who had to cry uncle by the end. See also: cry, uncle.
Concede defeat, as in The Serbs want the Bosnians to cry uncle , or If you say uncle right now, I'll let you go first in the next game . This phrase originated about 1900 as an imperative among school-children who would say, “Cry uncle when you've had enough (of a beating).”
is an indication of submission—analogous to "I give up!"—or it may be a cry for mercy, in such a game or match. Origin. There are several theories on the phrase's origin. Due to heavy Irish immigration in eastern Canada and New England in the 19th century, it is likely an anglicization of the Irish 'anacal', meaning deliverance or quarter.
cry/say ˈuncle. ( American English) admit that you have been beaten or defeated: They’re determined to make the President cry uncle in the budget debate. Originally, this comes from children’s games in which the child has to say the word ‘uncle’ to admit defeat. See also: cry, say, uncle. Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017. say uncle.
Say (cry) uncle definition: . See examples of SAY (CRY) UNCLE used in a sentence.
