"off your/his/her own back"

[BobbyBiscuits]

I was taught that the correct phrase for this was in fact "off your own BAT" as opposed to back.

Apparently something to do with cricket? Now it's always used as "back" but meaning the same thing. I.e off your own initiative. I'm not sure how it evolved, other than people mishearing the word bat?

Does anyone have any feelings on whether bat or back is the 'correct' terminology, or if both are now equally acceptable? Or maybe that the phrase in itself is ridiculous?

Really interested to hear people's thoughts!

It’s bat. Mishearing/don’t read.

It's bat. Back makes no sense.

You're right about 'off my own bat'.

There's a similar sounding expression, 'off my back', that has a different meaning. 'Get off my back' means stop pressuring me.
Maybe they're getting mixed up?

I'm glad I'm not wrong! But I honestly don't think correcting people at this stage would make me look anything other than an arse!

'Back' seems more commonly used nowadays?

I guess they might be thinking, 'I got off my back, I got up to do something'? But yeah, probably just mishearing or being wrong!

I think some people don’t read much now except what they see online. That’s why they write ‘could of/should of’. In books, newspapers and even comics it would be written as ‘could’ve/would’ve’. They sound the same.

Bat/back sound similar too, so if someone has never read the phrase, they probably just assume it’s back.

@Seymour5 Ah, the old 'could/would OF' saga.
I sometimes pronounce it like 'of' but only because I'm saying 've. If you know what I mean, like short for have. So people that actually write 'of' really make me think they are just not very well read or smart.
Not that I'm either of those myself!

This kind of stuff annoys me even on social media.

You was the most precious dog! I don’t think people understand until you have a dog how amazing they are to have in a family! We’re looking after your little boy for you mills! Hope Grandad is giving you lots of cuddles and walks!
Keep chasing them clouds!
Love you forever iv never forgot you!

I must admit I thought it was back for years, and it sort of made sense to me. Like I did it myself, using sheer will and the strength of my own back kind of connotations.

I know nothing about cricket, and have always been an avid reader with a good memory. Somehow this one passed me by until my mid thirties!

The one I like is "another thing/think coming" and people are adamant in their opinions either way. But I have subtitles on when I watch TV (adhd, helps me focus!) and I've seen both version on them and always notice because it's so controversial

@Sparklfairy Thank you. Yeah, I could see why people thought of it as 'off your own strength, get off your back and do something' kind of.

The one you say about 'another THINK coming'? I can't say I've ever seen that. It does sound a bit daft. But yeah, maybe ' They've got another THOUGHT coming' ie they'll think differently once I'm finished with them. Or something? Or should I say 'some-think'? 🙄

Haha. Language is weird isn't it? And people are too I guess!

Though I've often read "if you think that then you've got another thing coming"!