part brass rags
part brass rags (idiom)
/ˈpɑrt ˌbræs ræɡz/
The idiom “part brass rags” is a colorful expression used to describe the act of quarreling or ending a friendship.
Meaning
- End a friendship or partnership after a disagreement.
- Stop being on good terms with someone.
- Sever an association, often suddenly or bitterly.
Synonyms: quarrel; split; separate; fall‑out; break up.
Example Sentences
- After that bitter argument, they parted brass rags and never spoke again.
- She part brass rags with her oldest friend over political differences.
- The sailors part brass rags after a dispute about shared duties.
Origin and History
The most widely accepted and well-supported theory for the origin of “part brass rags” traces back to the customs of the Royal Navy, likely in the late 19th century. In this environment, sailors, particularly junior ratings, were often assigned the task of keeping the ship’s brasswork clean and polished. This was a continuous and laborious duty, as brass tarnishes easily in the salty sea air.
As a sign of close friendship and camaraderie, two sailors who were “chums” or “raggies” would often share their brass-cleaning rags, emery paper, and other polishing materials in a common ragbag. This shared resource symbolized their close bond and mutual support, not just in duties but also in daily life aboard the ship.
The Act of Dissolving Friendship
When a serious disagreement or quarrel arose between these two friends, signifying a breakdown of their relationship, they would dramatically “part brass rags.” This involved dividing the contents of their shared cleaning bag, each taking their own rags, and effectively ending their partnership in shared duties and friendship. The act was a clear, symbolic gesture of their broken ties and the cessation of their friendly terms.
Spreading Beyond the Navy
While originating in naval slang, the phrase eventually moved beyond the confines of the sea and into broader colloquial use. Its vivid imagery and clear meaning made it easily understandable to those outside of the navy, leading to its adoption in general speech to describe any instance where friends or partners have a falling out.
Earliest Printed Record
One of the earliest known printed records of the term appears in W.P. Drury’s 1898 book, The Tadpole of an Archangel and Other Naval Stories. In this work, Drury explicitly details the custom:
“When ‘Pincher’ Martin, Ordinary, and ‘Nobby’ Clarke, A.B., desire to prove the brotherly love with which each inspires the other, it is their custom to keep their brasswork cleaning rags in a joint ragbag. But, should relations become strained between them, the bag owner casts forth upon the deck his sometime brother’s rags; and with the parting of the brassrags hostilities begin.”
This account provides strong evidence for the naval origin and the meaning of the phrase at the time.
Another early mention, supporting the naval context, can be found in Notes and Queries from April 1916. Contributors, including a former Royal Navy Chaplain, described the custom of two men sharing cleaning materials and “parting brass-rags” if they quarreled, making it a common colloquialism in the navy for a severe disagreement.
Alternative Interpretations and Imaginative Theories
While the naval origin is strongly supported, one might also consider other less prevalent, or even imaginative, theories regarding the phrase’s genesis.
A More General Cleaning Context
One could imagine a broader, non-naval origin where any close partners, perhaps in a workshop or shared living space, might have shared cleaning implements. A disagreement could then lead to the literal “parting” of these tools, signifying an end to their joint efforts or cohabitation. However, there is no direct evidence to support this more general interpretation, and the specific connection to “brass” points strongly to naval duties.
Symbolic Acts of Division
From a purely symbolic perspective, “brass rags” could represent any valuable or regularly used item that friends or associates might share. The act of “parting” them then becomes a universal symbol of division and disagreement, a tangible manifestation of a broken bond. While this offers a broader philosophical view, it lacks the specific historical context that the naval explanation provides.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the idiomatic term “part brass rags” most convincingly originated in the United Kingdom, specifically within the British Royal Navy during the late 19th century. It vividly captures the breakdown of friendship through the symbolic act of separating shared cleaning materials among sailors. The consistent accounts from various sources, including early printed records, firmly establish this naval custom as the primary theory behind the phrase’s enduring presence in the English language.
Variants
- part brass rags with someone
- parted brass rags
Similar Idioms
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