Origin of the word "curbstomp"

[Hawkwings]

All (or at least most) of us know the *meaning* of the word "curbstomp", but where did this word come from?

[CaptainChewbacca]

All (or at least most) of us know the *meaning* of the word "curbstomp", but where did this word come from?

The original meaning was a particularly brutal street-fighting move. You would maneuver your opponent's mouth over the edge of a curb, as if they were biting it, then you stomp on their head. You'll break teeth, shatter a jaw, and maybe snap a neck.

Its the ultimate, brutal coup-de-grace.

[Pablo Sanchez]

The original meaning was a particularly brutal street-fighting move. You would maneuver your opponent's mouth over the edge of a curb, as if they were biting it, then you stomp on their head. You'll break teeth, shatter a jaw, and maybe snap a neck.

Its the ultimate, brutal coup-de-grace.

Coup de grace is right, since doing it basically requires that they be completely at your mercy, so curbstomping also implies a total victory.

[Ravencrow]

The original meaning was a particularly brutal street-fighting move. You would maneuver your opponent's mouth over the edge of a curb, as if they were biting it, then you stomp on their head. You'll break teeth, shatter a jaw, and maybe snap a neck.

Its the ultimate, brutal coup-de-grace.

I remember seeing that move in the movie American History X.

[Frank Hipper]

The original meaning was a particularly brutal street-fighting move. You would maneuver your opponent's mouth over the edge of a curb, as if they were biting it, then you stomp on their head. You'll break teeth, shatter a jaw, and maybe snap a neck.

Its the ultimate, brutal coup-de-grace.

I remember seeing that move in the movie American History X.

I spent more than a decade as an adult, immersed in popular culture, without having heard the term until after that film's release.

I'm willing to bet that it was source of it's popularity, if not it's origin completely.

[Adrian Laguna]

The original meaning was a particularly brutal street-fighting move. You would maneuver your opponent's mouth over the edge of a curb, as if they were biting it, then you stomp on their head. You'll break teeth, shatter a jaw, and maybe snap a neck.

Its the ultimate, brutal coup-de-grace.

Ugh... I'm regretting that I came into this thread, I really didn't need to know that. Now my teeth ache.

[weemadando]

The original meaning was a particularly brutal street-fighting move. You would maneuver your opponent's mouth over the edge of a curb, as if they were biting it, then you stomp on their head. You'll break teeth, shatter a jaw, and maybe snap a neck.

Its the ultimate, brutal coup-de-grace.

I remember seeing that move in the movie American History X.

I spent more than a decade as an adult, immersed in popular culture, without having heard the term until after that film's release.

I'm willing to bet that it was source of it's popularity, if not it's origin completely.

Actually it was being used quite a bit down here in Tassie before that time. I remember it clearly from my middle/high school days. Then again, Launceston at that time was usually one big fucking street-brawl, so its not entirely surprising.

[Keevan_Colton]

I've heard it used for as long as I can really recall. Then again, my granpa used to tell me about how they'd carry metal combs to use in street fights when he was young, so maybe it isnt all that suprising...

[CaptainChewbacca]

I don't know why thugs just don't say "coup de grace", it sounds pretty "badass" to me. And Frank is right, American History X did bring 'curbstomping' into the public consciousness.

I would define it as "Complete and brutal victory which breaks your opponent."

[General Zod]

I don't know why thugs just don't say "coup de grace", it sounds pretty "badass" to me. And Frank is right, American History X did bring 'curbstomping' into the public consciousness.

Because "coup de grace" means that they sound like they're actually, you know, educated. Which by default means they're giving into "the man".

[aerius]

It's been used since before I was born, no idea where it came from, but it definitely ain't American History X.

[Darth Lucifer]

Curb stomping is also known around the world as "curbing," a "curb job," "Russian Mouthwash," or a "Smiley" in Australia due to the scars left behind as the cheeks rip at the corners.

This was around way before American History X; hate groups and the white power movement have used this method of brutality since they adopted wearing combat boots, though I cannot find any source for this other than my own memory right now.

[CaptainChewbacca]

^Other sources I've found say it was popular among american white-supremists and the Aryan Nation.

[Falkenhayn]

Curb stomping is also known around the world as "curbing," a "curb job," "Russian Mouthwash," or a "Smiley" in Australia due to the scars left behind as the cheeks rip at the corners.

Up here, a "Smiley" is a bandanna or length of chain folded in half with a large padlock clipped around the fold. Very popular in the wannabe tough guy Hardcore music scene.