To 'up sticks' and 'in the sticks'

xyzzy@bok | 23:42 Mon 02nd Jun 2003 | Phrases & Sayings

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anyone got reference to the origins of either of the above phrases please?

lied to by my own mother...

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Quizmonster

In the early 1800s, one meaning of 'stick' was a ship's 'mast'. Hence, to 'up sticks' was to raise your masts in preparation for departure.

Re 'in the sticks', this is of American origin, whereby 'sticks' stands for 'woods' (ie forests) or, more specifically, 'backwoods'. So, 'in the sticks' means 'away from civilisation'.

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