Mudcat Café message #1923568

The Mudcat Café ^TM
Thread #97635 Message #1923568
Posted By: mack/misophist
31-Dec-06 - 06:21 PM
Thread Name: Folklore: Origin of 'Going to hell in a handcart'
Subject: RE: Folklore: Origin of 'Going to hell in a handcart'

The DARE entry suggests an explanation. It's only a guess, though. In execution by decapitation, the head was usually caught in a basket; as in the governor offering 'his head in a basket'.