Dea Ringer and Graveyard Shift

[milly143]

This might be a stupid question, but is it true that the phrase 'Dead ringer' comes from some time back when a bell would be burried with a person in case they were burried alive and could ring the bell? (I know it sounds crazy) and following that, the term 'graveyard shift' comes from those who were employed to stay in the graveyard to listen for the 'dead ringers'?

[sandyRoe]

I think 'graveyard shift' may have come from the time of body snatchers. Relatives had to guard a grave, day and night, until they thought the body had started to decompose. Otherwise the body snatchers would dig it up and sell it to the medical schools.

[Count-A-Strong]

Bring out yer dead

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grbSQ6O6kbs

[milly143]

Phew! I don't feel so stupid now.

Count - I love that clip, always makes me laugh.

[mike11111]

I have to disagree with dead ringer. In this context dead means exact/exactly (as in dead right). A ringer is an echo, in this case meaning resemblance, so a dead ringer is an exact copy. I don't believe it has anything to do with death/burial as such.

[fredpuli47]

'Ringer' , for a horse or competitor fradulently substituted for another, is an American term dating from 1890. 'Dead ringer' is also American and dates from 1891. [Oxford English Dictionary] A 'dead' ringer was a ringer which was exactly like the horse or competitor it was substituted for and hence, by extension, came to mean anyone who looks very much like another person. 'Dead' here means 'exact', as explained by mike,

[JonnyBoy12]

Would like to help you with this question, but if I give you the wrong answer this would be a "grave" mistake. I think these days of cremation being the norm then you may find this is a "dead" issue.

Sorry I can not be of more help. Why not try this plan out for yourself?