What is the origin of the expression Don't yank my chain?

Answer 1

According to "How the States Got Their Shapes" on the History Channel, that this phrase comes from old miners who would carry a length of chain with them for a very specific purpose. The bathroom that was used in the lower levels of the mine was actually on wheels on a track so it (along with all the waste) could be moved out of the mine when it was full. It was a common practical joke to unlock the break and push the "honey wagon" down the track while someone was sitting on it. So, miners carried a length of chain to lay in front of one of the wheels to act as a brake in case someone decided to pull this prank. Hence the phrase, "Don't yank my chain?". Especially when I'm pooping.

Answer 2

In the old gold mining days, when the miners had to use the restroom, they did so on top of a wooden box with a large hole on the top upon where they would sit. The wooden box was built on a mining cart. Sometimes the mines were very dark and as a joke while someone was using the restroom, another miner would sneak up on that person and push the mining cart to send it sailing on the track down further in the mine! To stop or hinder this, the miner using the restroom would put a chain across the track to use as a stop for the mining cart when someone would try to push it. Sometimes the pusher would search for the chain to remove it, and so the other miner would holler, "Don't pull my chain!", hence the saying was born. I heard this on a documentary about the U.S. states being formed on the history channel.

Answer 3

This saying originated deep within mines. Carts were secured to the track by a link of chain. When this chain was removed, the cart could be moved or in many instances, it would move by itself due to load factors or an uneven grade. To "yank my chain" was created when this chain was removed prematurely and the contents of the cart, either desirable or not would be sent on it's merry way.