It’s a busy busy day and while I wait for callbacks and speedread through a brand new Army stability-operations field manual I had a question for the internet. "Bailout." What’s the etymology of the word? Do we mean "bail" as in bailing out a flood or "bail" as in bailing someone out of jail? I suppose that ultimately both senses of the word lead back to the same place. But inquiring minds want to know.
Bail Out The Basement When There’s Holes In The Roof |
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| By: Spencer Ackerman Monday October 6, 2008 2:07 pm | |



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Long form: http://podictionary.com/?p=808
Short form: It appears to be a term of American origin in the mid ’20s, suggesting that it comes from “bailing out” of an airplane
baille -a bucket. used at sea for obvious purpose.
bail in legal matters originates in a latin word for custodial possession.
Bailing with a bucket, or in this case a teacup, instead of actually fixing the huge tear in the bottom of the vessel.