I always thought it must derive from being hit with gauntlets as you ran between two rows of angry men. Somehow this mental image entwined with the idea of being patted on the back by people who were pretending to be pleased for you but actually weren't - eg as you went up to receive honours, between rows of people who were jealous (and who therefore might also try to do worse things when everyone wasn't watching).
Thank you for the correction, though I think my imagination was better than the actual explanation!
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Date: 2009-03-28 09:06 pm (UTC)Thank you for the correction, though I think my imagination was better than the actual explanation!