have beef with somebody - origins

[AlexAD]

Hi,

I'm trying to understand where does the meaning of 'beef with somebody' come from?

Does it get its origins from a situation where two or more animals fighting on the prey while they eat it?

Thanks

 

[bhaisahab]

Google it. Nobody seems to know where this AmE expression come from.

 

[AlexAD]

Google it. Nobody seems to know where this AmE expression come from.

I'll tell you a secret, if nobody knows then neither does Google. Seriously people, why does everybody keep saying 'google it'?
Do I have to create a signature saying that I google before I ask the question?

 

[lotus888]

Two interesting discussions on the topic.

http://www.intelligentanswers.co.uk/index.php?topic=5730.0
http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=2576991

I'm inclined to think it came from the bull-headedness of said steer -- or perhaps a side-rib sore to avenge.




--lotus

 

[charliedeut]

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=beef&searchmode=none.

See @2. And please be a bit less impolite next time.

 

[AlexAD]

I'm inclined to think it came from the bull-headedness of said steer -- or perhaps a side-rib sore to avenge.

This actually makes perfect sense to me. I pictured two men acting like bulls (or rather bovine, meaning that the argument isn't close to a fight) to each other.
Also, thanks for the links. Although the discussions don't give an answer to the question, I found them pretty interesting.
Now that I connected that meaning with a short movie picture, it will stick better into my mind.

Thanks, lotus888. Appreciate your answer very much since this question has been on my mind for a very long time.

 

[emsr2d2]

I'll tell you a secret, if nobody knows then neither does Google. Seriously people, why does everybody keep saying 'google it'?
Do I have to create a signature saying that I google before I ask the question?

In all honesty, yes. It is a good idea to start your post with "OK, I've Googled this and looked everywhere I can think of and I still can't find out the definition of XXX. Can anyone here help me?"

However, the chances are that if the answer isn't available anywhere on Google, then no-one here will have the magic answer.

It is still very helpful for us to know what research you have done yourself before you ask us.