What's the origin of "spitting image"?

Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports
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Ken talks about the origin of “spitting image” here.

I would like to add that there is a similar portuguese expression “cuspido e escarrado” that is used in the same way as “You are the very spit of your father”: “És o teu pai cuspido e escarrado”. The verbs “cuspir” and “escarrar” both mean “to spit”, but “escarrar” is muckier and much more disgusting. The meaning of the sentence above is someting like " You are your father [made by] spitting. "
This expression is mostly used to point a resemblance between father and son, so I guess that what we are talking about is not spit, but semen.
I hate smilies! :smack:

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Welcome to the Straight Dope Message Boards, zlm, glad to have you here. And thanks for posting the link to the Staff Report!

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zim you might be interest to read a thread about this that was done previously.

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=110151&highlight=spitting+image