carrot and stick

[imajenarry]

is there a story behind the carrot and stick saying?...and if there is does anyone know what it is?thankyou in advance for any answers.

[spudqueen]

I always presumed it was holding a carrot on a stick in front of a donkey so that the donkey would be walking forwards towards the carrot. If you're sat on the donkeys back holding the carrot on the stick then the carrot will always be just in front of the donkey, he'll keep on walking to try to reach it and you'll get where you're going!

[JillP]

And if the donkey was pulling a cart, then the stick and carrot would be fastened about his head, presumably on top of his straw hat.