Making a rod for your own back.

[ambermollyst]

Does anyone know where this saying comes from and what it means?

[Electrochem]

As far I understand it, the phrase means to bring trouble on yourself and I would imagine it refers to maling a cane for you own back to be hit with.

A useful book for these things is Brewer's Book of Phrase and Fable.

I don't have my copy to hand at the moment.

[ambermollyst]

Thank you!

[Quizmonster]

It was listed as a proverb in a publication from the 15th century, so presumably it had been around for some time even prior to that. It's unlikely, therefore, that you will ever establish who first said it...it may even date back to classical times.
As suggested by Electrochem above, it means laying oneself open to punishment of one's own accord.

[joko]

i thought it referred to a type of punishment/binding with a rod being strapped accross the shoulders with the arms attached so that the person can't move properly?

[lankeela]

So I presume that it also where 'spare the rod and spoil the child' comes from?

[jno]

yes - that means if you don't beat your child he/she will grow up spoilt. This doesn't accord with a lot of modern thinking.

[phatwiji]

i know that sailors used to be made to make the whip that they were to be flogged with! and if they did a bad job of it lead weights were added (ouch!) this wont help you much sorry