Learn English – Is “kicking ass and taking names” an offshoot of an older idiom

idioms

Is this idiom an offshoot of an older idiom? I have heard something that sounds similar to this, but the words were slightly different.

Best Answer

I believe that the phrase "kicking ass and taking names" also has a military origin. It comes from the act of subduing enemies, and then identifying them. After capture, military forces collect name, rank, and service number.