The Origins of 'Hit the Hay' Phrase Revealed

Mattress stuffing and sleep habits from the 19th and 20th centuries inspire a common idiom.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 2:51pm

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A high-contrast, brightly colored silkscreen print of a vintage bed frame or mattress tufting repeated in a grid, conceptually representing the origins of the phrase 'hit the hay' in the materials and practices of historical bedding.The humble mattress materials of the past inspired the common idiom 'hit the hay', reflecting the physical effort required to prepare a comfortable sleeping spot.Chicago Today

The phrase 'hit the hay' originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when many mattresses were simple cloth bags filled with hay or straw. To get comfortable, people would literally have to 'hit' or pat down the hay in the mattress to create a soft spot to sleep. This physical action of preparing the bed for sleep is what led to the now-common idiom 'hit the hay' meaning to go to bed.

Why it matters

The origins of common English idioms and phrases can provide insight into the everyday lives and habits of people in the past. This story sheds light on the basic materials and routines around sleeping that were commonplace before modern mattress technology.

The details

According to the article, in the late 19th and 20th centuries, many mattresses were simple cloth bags filled with hay or straw. In order to make these mattresses comfortable for sleeping, people would have to physically 'hit' or pat down the hay inside the mattress to create a soft spot to lie in. This physical action of preparing the bed for sleep is what led to the now-common idiom 'hit the hay' meaning to go to bed.

  • The phrase 'hit the hay' originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The players

Mental Floss

A media company that publishes articles on interesting facts, history, and trivia.

WGN Morning News

A morning news program on WGN-TV, a television station in Chicago, Illinois.

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The takeaway

This story provides a fascinating glimpse into the everyday sleeping habits and materials used in mattresses from over a century ago, shedding light on the origins of a common English idiom that is still widely used today.