I notice this explanation seems to be commonly favoured by google, but it is unlikely.
Floggings in the Royal Navy were done by the bosun's mate, not a random crew member. The bosun and the lieutenants would watch carefully for favouritism. There was no rancour directed towards the mate because everyone knew he was just doing his job.
Floggings in the Royal Navy were done by the bosun's mate, not a random crew member. The bosun and the lieutenants would watch carefully for favouritism. There was no rancour directed towards the mate because everyone knew he was just doing his job.
This (below) attributes the phrase to Montaign:
http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/6/messages/289.html