Posted by Robert Dilley on February 19, 2005 at 22:52:16 from 216.211.53.169 user rdilley.
In Reply to: Re: Pull devil, pull baker posted by Adam Quinan on February 19, 2005 at 22:00:26:
I can't help feeling that "Pull Devil, Pull Baker" has its origin in a story or fable -- comparable to such phrases as "Sour Grapes" -- with the Devil and a baker fighting over something or someone. However, I have been unable (without, I confess trying really hard) to locate its origin. All the sources I have or have found explain what it means (not always in the same terms) but not how it originated.