Can any of our US friends help out with what the phrase "really bought the farm" means?

I think it's like the English phrase 'go the whole hog'. If that helps at all

Pete

EDIT: Wait, no, I seem to be completely wrong... Just found this:

quote:

---

BUY THE FARM: To be conned or hoaxed, to accept whatever is offered, to be taken in, to be duped in a bargain, to be swindled. Also, to be worsted, to be made to suffer. This usage derived from the image of a simple country person ensnared into a bad purchase by a smooth salesman. It possibly has some connection to the older term ‘buy the rabbit,’ which means to get the bad end of a deal – the rabbit.

---

I think buying the farm is a euphamism for dying

Actually has nothing to do with farming or anything agrarian; however way back in time it may have had something to do with farming failure or buying a worthless piece of property. Nowadays it simply means that some catastrophe has befallen someone, usually resulting in severe injury or damage. As when a racing car crashes the driver is said to have “bought the farm”

The death benefits paid to the beneficiaries of soldiers who died in battle were often enough to pay off the mortgage on the family home or farm, hence the deceased was said to have "bought the farm."

there are several other possible derivations of this phrase however they all maen the same thing - to Die..

[Edited on 22/7/05 by DaveFJ]

Try this link for a full description.

rgds,
David

Actually goes back to WW1 dough boys

As most of the replies have said, the most common meaning has to do with having died. Example: He bought the farm after running his car off a bridge at 120 mph.

"bit the curb"

Thanks guys