Well known phrases

[Magpiegull]

What is the origin of the phrase "Hoist by his own pethard"?

[Quizmonster]

Click here. That should link you to a web-page with the answer.

[flashpig]

I heard the word 'petard' comes from a particularly bubbly fart, and I much prefer the idea that the phrase means blowing off to the point where you lift off the seat.

[ljohnson]

The word 'Petard' means 'bomb'. It's from Hamlet (Shakespeare). 'Hoist' means 'blown up'.

[flashpig]

I meant that petard means bomb - but I just heard that the bomb was named after farting.