[Perhaps a. OF. buquet, ‘trébuchet, balance’ Godef. It is uncertain whether quot. 1597, and the proverbial phrase, relate to this word or the prec.] A beam or yoke on which anything may be hung or carried.
1570. Levins, Manip., 86. A Bucket, beame, tollo.
1597. Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., III. ii. 283. Swifter then hee that gibbets on the Brewers Bucket.
Mod. Newspaper. The beam on which a pig is suspended after he has been slaughtered is called in Norfolk, even in the present day, a ‘bucket.’ Since he is suspended by his heels, the phrase to ‘kick the bucket’ came to signify to die.
Hence (perhaps) To kick the bucket; (slang) to die.
1785. Grose, Dict. Vulgar Tongue, To kick the bucket, to die.
1806. Wolcott (P. Pindar), Tristia, Wks. 1812, V. 242. Pitt has kicked the bucket.
1810. Tannahill, Poems (1846), 57. Till time himsel’ turn auld and kick the bucket.
1840. Marryat, Poor Jack, xxx. He drained it dry … and ‘kicked the bucket.’
1850. Kingsley, Alt. Locke, ii. ‘Fine him a pot!’ roared one, ‘for talking about kicking the bucket.’
