where did "two shakes of a lambs tail" come from?

[bdubs]

Folks

Ever heard the expression “I’ll be back in two shakes of a lamb’s tail?”

I have heard a few explanations of its meaning but I need some consensus here…

Who’s got the straight dope on this?

[xcheopis]

From A Hog On Ice & Other Curious Expressions by Charles Earle Funk (c1948):

One who has seen a lamb shake its tail, sees readily that this saying means with no loss of time…Usage appears to be entirely American, going back a hundred years or longer. The probabilities are that the saying is a humorous enlargement of the older “in a couple (or brace of, or two) shakes”…

From Cool Cats, Top Dogs, and Other Beastly Expressions by Christine Ammer (c1999):

…Lambs are playful creatures and move remarkably fast. Hence, in two shakes of a lamb’s tail means “very quickly” or “very soon”, and has done so since at least 1840 in America.

I hope that helps.

[Duckster]

Tastes yummy with mint sauce.