{"id":6560,"date":"2022-08-22T22:31:17","date_gmt":"2022-08-22T22:31:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=6560"},"modified":"2022-08-22T22:31:17","modified_gmt":"2022-08-22T22:31:17","slug":"loggerheads-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/loggerheads-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Loggerheads \u2013 Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did someone tell you they are at loggerheads<\/em><\/strong> with their friend about where to go for dinner? What do they mean? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

The expression 'at loggerheads'<\/em> means that you are in a stalemate negotiation<\/u>. Neither side wants to give in to the demands of the other<\/u>, and there is no reasonable solution to bring to the table<\/u>. It describes a dispute between two or more people or groups<\/u>, with no one being able to see the other party's side of the problem<\/u>.<\/p>\n

Being at loggerheads<\/em> can have an aggressive or playful tone,<\/u> depending on its context.<\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\u201cThe manager and the sales team are at loggerheads on the new CRM. No one wants to learn how to use it, but the manager says they can\u2019t go back to the old sales system.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you two at loggerheads again? Can you ever agree on anything, or are you always at each other\u2019s throats with every decision you make?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe parties are still at loggerheads on what to do about the situation. It looks like they can\u2019t resolve to give each other any room, and it\u2019s not getting us anywhere with this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re at loggerheads and have no idea how to get around this problem. The other side blocks every suggestion we make, and we do the same to them. This is a pointless negotiation.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Origin<\/h2>\n

The expression 'loggerheads' originates from the United Kingdom. While it's also the name of a turtle and bird species and a location, it's also an idiomatic expression describing a stalemate.<\/p>\n

The first use of the expression is in William Shakespeare's 'Love's Labours Lost,' performed in 1588. However, the word refers to a stupid person in the context of the play.<\/p>\n

\"Ah, you whoreson loggerhead, you were borne to doe me shame.\"<\/p>\n

The first appearance of the phrase with its modern meaning of being in disagreement occurs in 'The English Rogue,' published by Francis Kirkman in 1680, where it appears as follows.<\/p>\n

\"They frequently quarrell'd about their Sicilian wenches, and indeed... they seem... to be worth the going to Loggerheads for.\"<\/p>\n

In 1681, the publishing of 'The Arraignment, Trial, and Condemnation of Stephen Colledge' shows a relationship between loggerheads and disagreement.<\/p>\n

\"So we went to loggerheads together. I think that was the word or Fisty-cuffs.\"<\/p>\n

'Loggerheads' also refers to the name of three towns in the UK.<\/p>\n