On Aug 15, 2011, at 2:18 PM, Dennis Claxton wrote:
> In modern usage, this is sometimes carelessly written tow the line, which itself has taken on a new meaning as an eggcorn. This practice probably originated with people who heard the expression but were not familiar with the original spelling or meaning. With the spelling tow the expression naturally takes on a slightly more active meaning: not simply conforming to the rules, but helping to enforce or confirm them.
Tow that line, lift that bale, get a little drunk, land in jail.
Seems like an expression of 'conforming to rules' here.
Thanks for taking the time to try to straighten me out, though, but I might be too old for 'modern usage'.
Although, - Walmart (at least the one I help populate) has a dark vinyl strip in the floor covering in front of the cashier aisles. It runs the width of the checkouts, and when the cashiers aren't busy they stand on the line, waiting for customers. When I see them there, I mumble 'toe that line'. So I guess I'm not completely immune to modern usage.
martin