fall off the back of a lorry

The idiom "fall off the back of a lorry" is primarily used in British English. It means acquiring something illegally or without paying for it. It is often used to imply that the item in question was stolen or obtained through illicit means.

The origins of this idiom are not definitively known, but it is believed to have derived from the practice of thieves stealing goods from the back of delivery lorries. The idiom likely emerged as a way to humorously refer to the act of stealing or acquiring items without proper authorization.

The idiom "fall off the back of a truck" is a similar idiomatic expression used in American English. It has the same meaning as "fall off the back of a lorry," referring to the acquisition of goods through illegal or questionable means.

The idiom "fall off a truck" is also used in American English, with a similar meaning to the previous idioms. It suggests that the item in question is of dubious origin, possibly stolen or acquired without proper authorization.

The idiom "fall off the back of a lorry" is predominantly used in the United Kingdom and is less commonly encountered in other English-speaking countries. It is often employed in colloquial and casual conversation, particularly when discussing suspicious or inexplicably acquired goods.

As with many idioms, the exact origins and early usage of "fall off the back of a lorry" are difficult to trace with certainty. However, usage of the phrase can be found in various literary works, newspaper articles, and other sources throughout the 20th century, indicating that it has been a well-established idiom for several decades.