To "pass the buck" means to avoid responsibility by passing it on to someone else.

The phrase "to pass the buck" originates in poker. Poker was very popular in the later half of the 19th century and to minimize cheating the deal was passed from person to person. The person next in line received a marker or counter to indicate that it was his turn to deal next. The marker, during this early time period, was often a knife with a buckhorn handle. If the person whose turn it was did not wish to deal he could pass the marker, or pass the "buck" and thus not have the responsibility of dealing. As time went on, the counter became silver dollars rather than knives, and thus most likely the origin of dollars being referred to as "bucks".

President Harry S. Truman turned this phrase into his personal motto that as President full responsibility was his and kept a sign on his desk that read "the buck stops here".

Use Example - "No, John", Sally said, "it's your turn to work late. You can't pass the buck."

Source Tags : Games     Concept Tags : Responsibility