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How did the phrase Passing the Buck originate?

By Pamela Landy

The phrase passing the buck probably came into use in American poker games during the late nineteenth century.

In 1872, Mark Twain wrote that players would pass an object, a buck, to remind them of who was to deal.

It is also possible that buck is an old word for bet.

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Filed Under: English Language

About Pamela Landy

Pamela Landy loves to answer questions.

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