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The colloquial AmE expression “beats me” appears to be quite old:

Greens Dictionary of SlangGreens Dictionary of Slang earliest usage dates from mid 19th c. But unluckily it doesn’t provide any suggestion about its origin.

1845 [US] W.T. Porter Big Bear of Arkansas (1847) 93: What on the Lord’s yearth young people now a days works and laces and befrils nite caps fur I can’t tell – it beets me.

Other online sources suggest a possible origin from the idea of being physically beaten.

Is there evidence of its more plausible origin?

The colloquial AmE expression “beats me” appears to be quite old:

Greens Dictionary of Slang earliest usage dates from mid 19th c. But unluckily it doesn’t provide any suggestion about its origin.

1845 [US] W.T. Porter Big Bear of Arkansas (1847) 93: What on the Lord’s yearth young people now a days works and laces and befrils nite caps fur I can’t tell – it beets me.

Other online sources suggest a possible origin from the idea of being physically beaten.

Is there evidence of its more plausible origin?

The colloquial AmE expression “beats me” appears to be quite old:

Greens Dictionary of Slang earliest usage dates from mid 19th c. But unluckily it doesn’t provide any suggestion about its origin.

1845 [US] W.T. Porter Big Bear of Arkansas (1847) 93: What on the Lord’s yearth young people now a days works and laces and befrils nite caps fur I can’t tell – it beets me.

Other online sources suggest a possible origin from the idea of being physically beaten.

Is there evidence of its more plausible origin?

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Gio
Gio
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  • 21
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Where does “beats me” come from?

The colloquial AmE expression “beats me” appears to be quite old:

Greens Dictionary of Slang earliest usage dates from mid 19th c. But unluckily it doesn’t provide any suggestion about its origin.

1845 [US] W.T. Porter Big Bear of Arkansas (1847) 93: What on the Lord’s yearth young people now a days works and laces and befrils nite caps fur I can’t tell – it beets me.

Other online sources suggest a possible origin from the idea of being physically beaten.

Is there evidence of its more plausible origin?