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What is the origin of the phrase 'waiting for the other shoe to drop'?

Question #148244. Asked by Walneto.
Last updated Jan 11 2021.
Originally posted Jan 11 2021 11:25 AM.

pehinhota

Answer has 5 votes

Currently Best Answer

pehinhota

11 year member
444 replies avatar

Answer has 5 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.

In the tenements of New York City in the late 19th and early 20th century, apartments were built with bedrooms on top of one another. It was common to hear your upstairs neighbor take off a shoe, drop it, and then repeat the action. It became shorthand for waiting for something you knew was coming.

https://www.inc.com/melanie-curtin/the-origin-of-waiting-for-other-shoe-to-drop-15-other-common-idioms.html#:~:text=In%20the%20tenements%20of%20New,something%20you%20knew%20was%20coming.

Jan 11 2021, 1:42 PM

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