line (one's pockets)

[thedaffodils]

I understand the meaning of line one’s pockets, but I don't understand what 'line' refers to.

Could someone help me out? Thanks!

[euncu]

Source: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/line

line 2 (ln)
tr.v. lined, lin·ing, lines
3. To fill plentifully, as with money or food.

Idiom: line (one's) pockets To make a profit, especially by illegitimate means.


For an example, check this one out;
http://www.dilbert.com/strips/comic/1992-03-30/

[thedaffodils]

Thank you very much for your help.

Why does 'line' refer to 'fill'?

[BobK]

Thank you very much for your help.

Why does 'line' refer to 'fill'?

Interesting question. I'm not sure...

Thinking about it, it occurs to me that the idea of 'grease' may be involved. Greasy can be used of an immoral person - 'a slippery customer'. When you bribe someone you 'grease their palm'.

Back to 'lining'; when you make a cake, you line the tin with greaseproof paper (or baking foil, or something like it) and then grease it (so that the cake-mix doesn't stick - in my experience this rarely works, but people still do it ).

Perhaps you line your pockets - as if they were cake-tins - and to stop stuff sticking to them you grease the lining (metaphorically, that is)...

This sounds a bit contrived to me, but I can't think of another link between lining and filling..

b

[thedaffodils]

Thank you, BobK.