SoCS – Egging someone on, but not in a good way

How did the term “egging someone on” ever come to be?  I’m just curious enough to go look it up…

Isn’t Google an amazing thing?  I don’t do too much work for things like this and this was the first link that showed up on the feed when I typed in “egging someone on origin”.  According to the link, the egg in this phrase has nothing to do with an actual egg, but is a variant of the word edge – to edge someone on.  Which I suppose makes more sense for actually giving someone encouragement, but I hear it used more, and actually use it more when you are pissing someone off and you want them to get even more upset.

It makes me think of my boys.  I know they love each other, but they are two totally different human beings.  Jaxon plays football, loves being outside and can’t stand to just sit in the house.  Andru loves the computer and computer games and tends to be more in his own imagination than present in this reality.  They’re just opposites in so many ways.

Andru was a spoiled shit when he was younger – yes I admit that he was the baby and we coddled him too much.  I think Jaxon knew that and started picking on him pretty young.  I’m not sure Andru has ever had patience for it, but these days, when Jaxon walks downstairs and does whatever he does to “egg” Andru on, Andru goes from calm to rage in about one second.  Jaxon always responds with something totally innocent too.

Today he said, “But I love you Andru…”  He loves him so much he will walk in a room and the first thing he does is bug his brother.  It doesn’t even matter what it is.

Anyway, that’s what I think of when I hear the term “egging someone on”.  I’m not sure I can switch my brain to think it’s a positive thing either.  I’ve been thinking about it for a few minutes too… having someone “egg” me on with running just doesn’t have the same meaning to me as having someone support and encourage me.

This totally random and off the wall post is part of Stream of Consciousness Saturday hosted by Linda G. Hill.  Today’s prompt was “egg”.  Please feel free to click the link and join in the fun.



6 thoughts on “SoCS – Egging someone on, but not in a good way

  1. “Egging” someone on versus “Edging” someone on. The latter just doesn’t sound right. Maybe “egging” is from “egging someone” meaning taking eggs and throwing at them. Maybe this is where the term, “egging” someone on is from. (?) Just a thought.

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