What does it mean to "go to hell in a handbasket"?

[Generic Other]

I want to do it, but I don't know how.

Anyone have any idea?

[Catch22Dem]

1. I'll let you know when I get to hell

:evilgrin:

[voter x]

2. try this....

http://alt-usage-english.org/excerpts/fxgotohe.html

This phrase, meaning "to deteriorate rapidly", originated in the
U.S. in the early 20th century. A handbasket is just a basket with
a handle. Something carried in a handbasket goes wherever it's going
without much resistance.

James L. Rader of Merriam-Webster Editorial Dept. writes: "The
Dictionary of American Regional English <...> records 'to go to
heaven in a handbasket' much earlier than <...> 'hell,' which is not
attested before the 1950s. The earliest cite in our files is from
1949 <...>. 'In a handbasket' seems to imply ease and and speed
<...>. Perhaps part of the success of these phrases must simply be
ascribed to the force of alliteration. DARE has a much earlier
citation for another alliterative collocation with 'handbasket'
(1714), from Samuel Sewall's diary: 'A committee brought in
something about Piscataqua. Govr said he would give his head in a
Handbasket as soon as he would pass it.' I suspect that 'to go to
hell in a handbasket' has been around much longer than our records
would seem to indicate."

[Generic Other]

3. Uh...my head? Off with my head?

Never mind.

[Generic Other]

4. I am now thinking of people who should go to hell in a handbasket...

Anyone sharing my thoughts?

:)

[happynewyear]

7. is it anything like people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones

and what about the one "people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones" - what is that one about anyway. Never quite figured it I am ashamed to admit.

baldearg

[Rabrrrrrr]

5. It means "To have republican leadership"

:evilgrin:

[Az]

6. Obscure origins by try this source

http://www.quinion.com/words/qa/qa-goi1.htm

[sleepyhead]

8. A friend's mother used to say

"going to hell in a handbasket with gasoline in your underwear" or something similar. I know a few people who are on their way.

[Aristus]

9. Bumpersticker I saw at the local college about a year ago:

'Where am I going? And why am I in this handbasket?'

[Kat45]

10. I always said that's where Reagan was taking this country

And in recent years, I've said that bush picked up that handbasket and is running with it.