Put up or shut up!

[matt_london]

When people say this I always think, well surely they are both the same. Either put up with it or shut up. No difference so where does the saying come from?

[defenstrate]

it is probably "put up" in the meaning of boxing or fighting, ie put up your dukes, hence it means fight for it or dont moan and live with it.

[matt_london]

I've just had a thought. Maybe it means 'put up' as in put your hand up if you want to challenge.

[Quizmonster]

To 'put up' in this situation, means to stake...ie to lay a bet, as it were. Thus, 'put up or shut up' means exactly the same as 'put your money where your mouth is'. So, these two instructions suggest you should back your claim with hard cash if you're so sure of yourself.

[Count_Emmup]

It means either put (your fists) up or shut up.

[shellzway]

quizmaster is right, i think it came from poker games while bluffing, ethier put up your money, or shut up! this of course is when "table talk" wasn't cheating and it was just the players "egging" each other on, or talking smack!

[DGR]

Same as "put your money where your mouth is".