# 'going to hell in a handbasket'

**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-hell-in-a-handbasket/28086
**Category:** About This Message Board
**Created:** [August 4, 2000, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-hell-in-a-handbasket/28086 "2000-08-04T02:41:41Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![Clarissa\_Moore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e495f1/32.png) [@Clarissa\_Moore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clarissa_Moore)
#### Post date: [August 4, 2000, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-hell-in-a-handbasket/28086/1 "2000-08-04T02:41:41Z")

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Many people still use this old expression, yet I’ve never found a source that can tell me where it came from? Does anyone know? Any guesses? Slightest clue appreciated. Thank you!

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### Author: ![Majordomo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a9adbd/32.png) [@Majordomo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Majordomo)
#### Post date: [August 4, 2000, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-hell-in-a-handbasket/28086/2 "2000-08-04T02:45:46Z")

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The first thing to do is try this question at the other forum “General Questions”. You won’t get a straight answer here. This is the test and announcement forum.

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### Author: ![Majordomo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a9adbd/32.png) [@Majordomo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Majordomo)
#### Post date: [August 4, 2000, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-hell-in-a-handbasket/28086/3 "2000-08-04T02:49:18Z")

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The other pointer is some people want you to search before you ask.

You’ll find this thread that way:

**["Going to Hell in a handbasket"](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=6193)**