Arm Idioms

Several words have found themselves used in a number of phrases. We looked at 'mouth' last time and this time it's 'arm'.

Arm wrestling is first described in writing in 1899.

Coat of arms is a phrase first seen in the early 14th century.

To bear arms, in the sense of military service’ first appears in the 1640s.

Armband today conjures up the inflatable swimming aid, but when it first appeared in 1782 it more often referred to a bracelet, one worn on the upper arm.

Armchair is first recorded around 1630, this shortly before the alternative name of elbowchair is seen.

Armpit is first recorded in the middle of the 14th century, when armhole was equally popular, although the latter died out by the 18th century (at least in the armpit sense).

Arms race is not seen until the 1930s, first used in British English and referring specifically to naval build-ups.

Arms length is first seen in documents dated around the 1650s, although there are records of arms end from about 1570.

Armful is first seen in the 1570s.