He Bought the Farm
A Conversation about Death
I was having a conversation with a co-worker about euphemisms for death. Don’t ask me how we got on that subject because I can’t remember. I added, “He bought the farm” to the list. She asked me why we say that I had no idea. If you read these posts, you’ll know that I enjoy learning the origins of phrases. So, I looked it up. I found it to be interesting, so I wanted to share it here.
Meaning
He bought the farm is an idiom for death. It means, “He died.” Euphemisms are like idioms for subjects that we are uncomfortable talking about. There are euphemisms for things like death, sex, and bodily functions. You should not use this idiom for someone you (or the person you are talking to) know personally. It feels a little humorous. Instead, I suggest using the euphemism, “He passed away” to talk about someone you knew. Death is a sensitive topic and today’s phrase is not meant to be serious.
Example: She bought the farm before she could complete her trek across Africa.
Origin
Bought the farm is a phrase that arose in the 1900s. It was used in reference to American military personnel who died in battle. In particular, it was used to refer to those who died in WW1 and WW2. While there is a clear link to the American military, the exact reason why this phrase came into use is not certain. There are a few possible explanations.
The most likely explanation is that if a soldier dies in battle, their family will receive insurance money and compensation from the government. This compensation is enough to pay off the family mortgage. So, the soldier's death essentially pays for the family’s farm.
Another explanation is that soldier dream of a quiet life away from war. However, if they die before they have that opportunity, some might say that they bought the farm early.
Finally, American Speech (1955) suggests that if a jet crashes into a farmer’s field, the government will give the farmer compensation. So, the pilot bought the farm for the farmer by dying in his field.
He bought it is British slang for being wounded or killed. By the first world war, it was used in the British army to refer to someone hurt in war. It seems to reference buying something unwanted, perhaps buying a ticket home. I think American military men might have borrowed this phrase and incorporated it into their lexicon. In the 1950s there were a few other ‘buying it’ phrases including buy the plot and by the lot. However, only buying the farm survived.
If you are interested in euphemisms, I have done lessons on them before. Also, I made a ppt about sexual euphemisms (even though I have never used it in class):
See Also: Surviving a plane crash, Stop dead, Going the way of the dodo
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Reference:
https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/bought-the-farm.html
http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-buy1.htm
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/buy-the-farm/