Take It On The Lam

Guest Post by Steve Candidus (Steve C)

In previous posts, I discussed the origins of the expressions, “Between A Rock And A Hard Place” as originating from Ancient Greek Mythology, and “One A Day In Tampa Bay” as it related to the Martin B-26 medium bomber in WWII. In this post, I will discuss the origins of the expression, to “Take It On The Lam” and its kid sister, to “Take A Powder”.

Granted, both are old expressions not used much anymore except perhaps by old farts like me, but you do still hear them occasionally. So what do they mean and where did they come from?

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To take it on the Lam is defined as to disappear. To go into hiding. This is the long-term kind of disappearance, whereas to take a powder is its short-term equivalent.

There is one school of thought that the word ‘Lam’ refers to the Old Norse word ‘lamdi’ which means to beat. Another is that it evolved from the word ‘lambaste’. The most likely origin however, is much more interesting.

In the late seventeenth century, a group of Quakers was facing arrest by the British Crown. Ordered to appear before the court they received word from friends that it was a trap and that they would all be jailed or hanged as soon as they appeared.

Having been forewarned they arranged to charter a ship to take their congregation to America. They would stay at the Inn designated by the authorities, but instead of appearing in court the next day to face their preordained fate, they would all sail off in the dark of night thus escaping her majesty’s men.

And the name of the ship that they chartered? The ‘Lam’.

So they took it on the Lam never to be seen again in England.

‘Taking A Powder’, although sometimes construed to be derived from the old doctor’s advice to take a powder (medicine) and lay low, actually has a more straightforward origin. Think of it as a girls worst nightmare date. At some point, she decides that she has had enough and excuses herself from Mr. I-Need-To-Get-Away-From-This-Guy to go and ‘powder her nose’ (go to the ladies room).

Instead, she heads for the door or even climbs out the ladies room window if necessary, hails a cab and is never seen again that night by Mr. Not-So-Wonderful.

The expression evolved to include anyone that said the words, “I’ll be right back” and then disappeared. They were gone for that moment, but their whereabouts were still known to all.

Steve Candidus (Steve C) is a writer and a history buff that works as a product and application specialist of large AC electric motors in Spring, Texas.

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