etymology - What is the origin of the term "throw the book"?



I'm curious if "the book" in question is the bible?


Does anyone know where this term first entered the lexicon?



Answer



Not, I think, the Bible, but the law book. The OED’s earliest citation is this from 1932:



The prosecuting attorney . . . determined to try to get the trial judge to ‘throw the book’ at him



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