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Eating Crow

Expressions: Eating Crow

An expression that connotes humility forced in the face of wrongdoing, eating crow is a tad bit different from eating umble pie. While both suggest humility, eating crow is slightly different in that it suggest an aire of humiliation as part of the punishment.
With the ending of the War of 1812, story has it an American soldier crossed British lines while hunting for game. Finding nothing better, the American shot a crow, and (when discovered by the British officer) was forced to eat it as punishment for trespassing.
Halfway through this disgusting act, story has it the British officer gave the American his gun back, at which point, the American turned on the Brit, making HIM eat the remaining crow in retaliation. Regardless who ate crow last, the phrase today has become synonymous with facing up to something emotionally tough to swallow.