Where did the phrase 'Keep your eyes peeled' originate?

Answer 1

i think the inference is that your eye lids are like a skin that need to be peeled back so that your eyes are open. like you peel a banana to reveal what's inside. you peel back your eye lids so you can see what's going on.

I have been lead to believe that it derives from Peel Towers that were built along the English Scottish borders in the 1400's. Peel towers were small fortified keeps or tower houses intended as watch towers where signal fires could be lit by the garrison to warn of approaching danger. So to keep your eyes peeled is a reference to being watchful.

#3- it derives from an old verb pill, came to us from the Latin root pilare, meaning "to take the hair off, pluck". From about the 17th century on, pill was commonly spelt peel and took on the sense of "to remove or strip" in the weakened sense of removing an outer covering, such as a fruit. The figurative sense of keeping alert, by removing any covering of the eye that might impede vision.

The Peel Tower answer would be cool...if it were true. Still a great answer.

Answer 2

It means keep your eyes open - your eyelids, being the covering to your eyes, are "peeled" back. It also infers being on the lookout for something. "Keep your eyes peeled for the next gas station."

Answer 3

It means to watch out for something and look around a lot

Answer 4

Stay alert, watchful, vigilant, observant...

Answer 5

Keep yourself aware of what that someone or something is doing.
To watch it, try to be aware of what it's doing at all times.