Start from Scratch?

[chappie]

Does anyone know why we say "start from scratch" please?

[shammydodger]

Possibly derived from boxing, in which a line was drawn, or scratched, across the ring from which the protagonists began the bout.

[steve @ home]

Could also come from racing where a 'scratch' race is one run without handicaps.

[Quizmonster]

Click here for more information on the topic. It seems it actually originated in reference to the crease-mark in cricket.

[chappie]

Thanks for replies.

[lankeela]

It was used in greyhound racing, in handicap races. Some dogs were given a 'head start' by putting their traps further forward, but those starting from scratch started from the original start line. So you would say for instance trap 1 received 2 yards, but Trap 2 was 'off scratch'.

[chappie]

Thank you.