axe to grind

[Loosehead]

Where does this phrase originate?

[shaneystar]

If someone has an axe to grind then they have an ulterior motive to pursue. This saying comes allegedly from the US diplomat Benjamin Franklin. He told the story of the young man who wanted his axe ground. The smith agreed to do it provided the man turn the grindstone himself. He soon tired and gave up having bitten off more than he could chew. This story was published early in Franklin's career in an article entitled "Too much for your Whistle", but the actual phrase does not seem to have been used until about 20 years later, in another story called "Who'll turn the Grindstone?", written by Charles Minter. This story was clearly based on Franklin's tale, and did include the phrase "......that man has an axe to grind". It seems that Charles Minter was the likely author of the phrase.