by hook or by crook的词源

英文词源

hook (n.)

Old English hoc "hook, angle," perhaps related to Old English haca "bolt," from Proto-Germanic *hokaz/*hakan (cognates: Old Frisian hok, Middle Dutch hoek, Dutch haak, German Haken "hook"), from PIE *keg- "hook, tooth" (cognates: Russian kogot "claw"). For spelling, see hood (n.1).

Boxing sense of "short, swinging blow with the elbow bent" is from 1898. Figurative sense was in Middle English (see hooker). By hook or by crook (late 14c.) probably alludes to tools of professional thieves. Hook, line, and sinker "completely" is 1838, a metaphor from angling.

中文词源

by hook or by crook：不择手段；千方百计；无论如何

中世纪的英格兰，森林属于国王，但是老百姓也要砍柴烧呀，怎么办？皇室会在适合时规定：不管你用billhook ['bɪlhʊk] n.归钩镰；修枝砍刀，还是crook [krʊk] n.牧羊人的钩状手杖，收集来的地上的枯枝归你用。

该词的英语词源请访问趣词词源英文版：by hook or by crook 词源，by hook or by crook 含义。