Phrases Of Appalachia: By Hook Or Crook...

By hook or (by) crook- by any means, legal or illegal 

Examples: I'll get that job done by hook or crook.

The car broke down, but I'll get there by hook or by crook.

I'm running for office and I'll get there by hook or crook!

This is a phrase that I've heard a lot in this part of Appalachia but I hadn't thought about it in a long time. Someone used it in an Appalachian group that I follow on Facebook & I thought, boy, if that doesn't describe this election I don't know what does! Apparently, I wasn't alone in thinking this because another member in the group named Brenda D. commented, "I think those two are front runners in the election this year - hook has 44% of the vote and crook has 45%." I horse laughed, y'all. I can't believe how much mud slinging has went on and the things that these people are accusing each other of. Lord, help us all!

This term has a disputed origin but many believe that it was first used in Ireland. A widely held theory is that it comes from the custom of allowing commoners to remove as much timber from the royal forests as the people could reach with a shepherd's crook and cut down with a billhook.

There is a southern rule that says there are certain things that shouldn't be discussed with guests at the dinner table: politics and SEC football. Ok, SEC football isn't one of them but it should be...it can get just as heated! I can see the reasoning behind this rule. I can't tell you how many friends and family that I've heard arguing over this election. I TRY not to get involved. I think that it is our responsibility, as Americans and Christians (for those of us who are), to do our OWN research and decide who it is that will represent us best in office. Don't believe what the media is reporting. They are as crooked as a dog's hind leg...on both sides. I thought about not even voting in this election but through prayer and research, finally decided that I couldn't do that. Please do your own research and get out there and vote! 

Have you ever heard "by hook or crook" in your neck of the woods?