Buying the farm

The etymology is unclear, but the phrase “buy the farm” has over the years come to mean dying in the military. One theory, according to WordDetective.com says that the death benefit for a man killed in action was enough to pay off his family farm, although there is some debate that the phrase didn’t come into common usage until 1955.

Whatever its origins, it’s closer to being true now. President Bush signed into law Wednesday an increase in the death benefit from $12,000 to $100,000 for the next of kin of any military personnel killed in combat zones or in combat-related training since Oct. 7, 2001.

Previously the amount was $6,000, raised to $12,000 in 2003.

No amount can replace a human life, and $100,000 won’t buy you a farm anywhere, but this at least ensures that in most cases the family of the deceased soldier won’t lose their house. Read the full story in the Seattle PI.

It’s about time.

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