The phrase "give someone or walking papers" is a colloquial expression meaning to fire or dismiss someone from employment. The spelling of the word "papers" is straightforward - /ˈpeɪ.pərz/ - with the stress on the first syllable and the "a" pronounced as "ay". However, the spelling of "walking" is tricky. It is pronounced as /ˈwɔː.kɪŋ/ with the stress on the first syllable and the "a" pronounced as "aw". This term is commonly used in American English and is believed to have originated in the late 1800s.
To give someone their walking papers is an idiomatic expression used to convey the act of terminating someone's employment or dismissing them from a job. This colloquial phrase suggests not only the termination of a person's current employment but also the request for them to leave the premises or workplace, usually immediately or with little notice. It is considered a rather informal way to express the act of firing someone.
The phrase "give someone their walking papers" originated from the notion that when an employee is dismissed, they are handed a document indicating the termination of their employment. The term 'walking papers' symbolizes the idea that the employee is being instructed to leave the premises and take their leave from the job, often without further delay.
While this expression is considered informal, it is commonly used in casual conversations or informal workplace settings to describe the action of terminating someone's employment. The tone of this phrase implies a sense of finality and often conveys negative undertones as it typically involves a forced separation from employment rather than a voluntary or amicable departure.
In summary, "giving someone their walking papers" refers to the act of terminating someone's employment and requesting them to leave the workplace promptly, often associated with a sense of immediate dismissal and finality.