[The Decay of Meaning]

The Communists cooked and ate their belts during the long march.

Patton said:
"My troops can eat their belts but my tanks have gotta have gas.."



Question:
What makes belts so special? Why belts?

[Lokakyy]

Sigh.

Belts are made out of leather, so they are at least theoretically edible. One could also eat your boots, but understandably this metaphore isn't used in the East as they do not have a similar established military boot culture.

[Smilin' Dave]

I suppose you would have to eat your belt before your boots anyway. Your pants might be falling down, but at least your feet won't be shredded.

[Caron]

When I have kids I'm going to make them eat a belt for dinner whenever they complain about a meal they don't like. Thanks Lokakyy!

[Lokakyy]

It is okay, Benson, as long as you take care that the belts are genuine leather. I wouldn't want to have children eating plastic belts on my conscience.