I learned the phrase throw in the towel (to concede defeat) when I was a whippersnapper staying with my Grandpa George. We watched the Gillette Cavalcade of Sports, which became Fight of the Week, which became Friday Night Prize Fights on a black and white tv with three main channels, ABC, NBC, and CBS, and the local Denver news and programing on Channel 2. This was in the late 1950s to mid 1960s.
While Roy Harris doesn’t actually throw in the towel in this vintage boxing match clip with Sonny Liston, the fourth time Liston sends him to the mat, his towel was metaphorically thrown in.
I don’t remember watching this exact match, but I do remember, even as a little kid, thinking that grown men beating the tarnation out of each other and getting their heads smacked around like that couldn’t possibly be heathy for their brains.
Thanks to Linda for #JusJoJan and SoCS – throw in the towel.
Until next time,
Kaye Spencer
writing through history one romance upon a time