The English translators of Matthew used the proverbial phrase. But the proverb is attested in England as early as the 14th century. There is a related proverb, "to piss into the wind." That proverb has a gender-variant -- "to piss upon a nettle." Tim Romano ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gavin Francis" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2001 4:01 AM Subject: Re: "kick against the pricks" > It's from the gospel of Matthew. > > GAVIN > > Dave wrote: > > > Dear Pounders, > > > > Did Pound coin the addage in Hugh Selwyn Maulber, "Mr. Nixon": "Don't kick > > against the pricks"? Or, was that a colloquial saying? > >