When someone dies, you occasionally hear the expression 'He popped his clogs'.?

Question

From where does this expression originate?

Answer 1

From the old expresssion of 'pop' meaning to pawn one's belongings,checking out in other words, similar to the old song, 'pop goes the weasel' weasel being another term for one's accessories to buy drink on a saturday night, orignally sung by Anthony Newley.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2lF99RrJ...

THis version is nowhere as near as good as A.N'.s but it's the only one I could find on Youtube.