Definition
In the United States and Canada, the idiomatic expression "Say 'uncle'!" may be used as an imperative command to demand submission of one's opponent, such as during an informal wrestling match or tickling. Similarly, the exclamation "Uncle!" is an indication of submission—analogous to "I give up!"—or it may be a cry for mercy, in such a game or match.Say (or cry) uncleOrigin
There are several theories on the phrase's origin. Due to heavy Irish immigration in eastern Canada and New England in the 19th century, it is likely an anglicization of the Irish 'anacal', meaning deliverance or quarter. A less likely theory is that it derives from a phrase uttered by youngsters in theForeign-language analog
There is a common analog in theReferences
Further reading
* *{{cite book , last=Buchwald , first= Art , author-link= Art Buchwald , chapter=The Uncle Doctrine , title="You Can Fool All The People All The Time" , place= New York , publisher=G. P. Putnam's Sons , year= 1985 , url= https://archive.org/details/youcanfoolallofpbuc00buch/page/n5/mode/2up , chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/youcanfoolallofpbuc00buch/page/304/mode/2up , url-access= registration, pages=305-307 , isbn= 0-399-13104-3, via= Internet Archive American English idioms Idioms