Posted by ESC on November 29, 2000
In Reply to: Short end of the stick posted by Dora Fletcher on November 29, 2000
: I am quite confident that the phrase "short end of the stick" refers to an old fashioned method for carrying heavy objects. (this can be visualized using a bale of hay) a long stick is inserted through ropes or cords wrapped around the object and two (or more) people carry the object together. If the load is off-center a disproportionate burden is placed on the person(s) on the "short end of the stick".
That makes sense to me!