Know Your English (July 2001)

Know your English

What is the meaning and origin of the expression ``to hit the sack''?

This is an informal expression meaning to `go to bed'. Here are a few examples.
Ranjani hit the sack early last night.
It's been a long day. I am ready to hit the sack.
Although it was well past their bedtime, the children weren't ready to hit the sack.
The expression became popular during World War II when American soldiers began referring to the sleeping bag/blanket that they were carrying as ``sack''. Later, the word ``sack'' began to be used for anything that one could sleep on - a bed, a table, a bench, etc. The earlier expression that was commonly used was ``to hit the hay''.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, July10, 2001