What is the origin of the expression hells bells?

Answer 1

The phrase "with bells on" seems to have two theories about the origin. One is that it refers to the costume of a court jester, including a fool's cap loaded with bells. The other theory is that it goes back to the days of horse-drawn carriages, when on special occasions the horse's harness might be decorated with festive bells.

Answer 2

It means eager and ready to go. The origin may be difficult to determine, it could refer to the old tradition of the British Naval sailors Bell Bottom Trousers which was part of their dress uniform. If required at ceremonial occasions he would arrive 'with bells on' or in his best uniform.

It could refer to wagon and horses or coach and horses which were festooned with bells or even the old Court Jesters who carried bells of their hats.

Answer 3

Back in the 1880-1890's there was a craze to have alarms installed on coffins so that in case of a premature burial the entombed could notify people that he was actually still alive. The fanciest of these included a flag, a bell and a whistle, along with a snorkel like device to provide fresh air. This meant that when you went to buy a casket the salesman would ask if you wanted a plain one, or one with all the bells and whistles included.

Answer 4

When telephones were first introduced BELL TELEPHONE was the only company in the United States that had anything to do with telephones. They owned the poles, the wires and even your telephone. We used to have to rent our phone from Ma Bell just to have a phone. Also sometimes we had what were called "party lines: where two or three families in different house actually shared the same phone line. We had to listen for the rings to determine which family the call was for and, you guessed it, the other people could and would listen in on your private phone calls. Anyway, because the phone company owned everything and controlled everything we just referred to them as Ma Bell.

Answer 5

Thought to be an Americanism from the late 19th century, a press reporter suggested that the participants in a boxing match would be 'there with bells on' as they were ready and eager to participate.

Answer 6

The surname Bell is derived from the Middle English belle meaning "bell". It was given either to a bell ringer or bell maker or to someone who lived "at the bell" meaning they lived near or beside a bell.

Answer 7

I believe it is an old Navy term shortened from, "Hells bells and buckets of blood."

Answer 8

There is no particular mythology about infernal bells; the terms hell's bells was introduced merely because it sounded like a nice rhyme.