From Pillar to Post
Our family loves to travel from pillar to post. Beaches, mountains, and plains all beckon to us. Yet, we don’t like to change where we live. When our travels end, we want to return to the house where we’ve lived for years.
From pillar to post means from place to place.
It also means from:
- Person to person
- Thing to thing
- Position to position
Similar expressions include:
- From here to yonder
- Here, there, and everywhere
- Hither and thither
- Hither and yon
From pillar to post often refers to random movement.
It may have little or no purpose. We see this in people who never:
- Stay anywhere long
- Keep the same job
- Maintain relationships
Such movement often fails to bear fruit. It wastes both time and effort.
The origin of this phrase remains uncertain.
The Free Dictionary offers two theories.
- It may come from old style tennis courts with pillars and posts where the ball could be bounced.
- It may have “originally meant from whipping-post to pillory (punishment to hanging).”
Whether we go from pillar to post or stick like glue, let’s always follow the direction God gives.
“For in him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28 NIV).
Thanks to Debbie Tapscott for the suggestion and to Jeri Stone for the photo.
Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.
Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”
If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.
8 thoughts on “From Pillar to Post”
I loved knowing the origin of this saying, Diana. I know I’ve heard it all my life.
Blessings!
Thank you, Martha. Researching these expressions has been such fun. Blessings on you, your family, and your writing.
I so enjoyed reading this as I have never heard this expression! “Whether we go from pillar to post or stick like glue, let’s always follow the direction God gives.” Amen!
Several said this is a new expression to them too, Joanne. I’ve not heard it often but love its description. Blessings.
I’ve always wondered about this saying. Sounds like its origin and meaning are still somewhat confusing. Thanks for sharing.
You’re right, Katherine. Like so many expressions, the origin remains uncertain on this one. Blessings on your writing.
Have heard it my whole life, but never knew its origin Ms. Diana. I always thought it meant from the front porch (pillars hold up the front porch) to the pasture, where there’s posts. A long-winded way of saying, “from here to there.” LOL
J.D., I was unaware of its origin until I researched it for this post. My thoughts were similar to yours. I like ours better even though they’re wrong. 😂