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Hence the old term "bought the farm" for a crash landing.

• Sebb767 5y ago
  Fascinating, I always thought this referenced retiring on a farm.
  • HeyLaughingBoy 5y ago
    Close. The term originates from payments the War Department (now DoD) made to families after someone died in combat. In some cases the payment was enough for the family to pay off the mortgage, so the dead person was said to have "bought the farm."
    • JJMcJ 5y ago
      Exact origin is obscure. Some think it relates to paying a farmer, some that it refers to a death benefit.