Katy, Bar the Door

This is another expression for which there is no known origin. Usually, when there is no definitive explanation, there are plenty of opposing camps with alternating theories.

Not this time.

The earliest known reference to the term is 1902.

But it is undoubtedly much older than that. It may have found its beginnings as early as 1700, although that date is probably early by at least 50 years.

In any event, no one knows where it came from, but the meaning is clear: Act now or bad things will happen.





The expression Katy, bar the door means to watch out or serves as a warning of impending disaster. It dates to at least 1902 when it appears in Hugh McHugh’s (George V. Hobart’s) It’s Up to You:
It was “Katie, bar the door” with her.
But who was Katy (or Katie) and why was she locking the door? Read the rest of the article...