Run The Gauntlet

To Endure a Trial

This phrase first entered the English during the Thirty Years War (1618-48) and came from the Swiss. The Swiss Army would punish soldiers by causing them to run between two ranks for men armed with sticks and rope ends. The end result was they were beaten pretty bad, but never really fatal.

The Swiss called this the “gatlopp” or “gangway”. Eventually, in the late 17th century, the English corrupted it to “running the gauntlet” which probably had to do with the armored gove of the same name. It sounded alike so they just went with it. So next time you have to endure a trial get ready to Run the Gatlopp!