Go to hell in a hand basket?

What the fuck does go to "hell in a hand basket" mean anyway? Where does the hand basket come from? And who says that?
These life's quandaries will be solved today and today only! Hurray! Aren't you glad you stopped by?

I have been told many things in my life, I have been called many names and I can understand all of them. Yes, ALL of them, but one. Why tell some one to go to hell in a hand basket? When I think of hand baskets; a picnic comes to mind, fresh baked diner rolls, or a kid carrying picked apples from an orchard. Is the hell in a hand basket thing supposed to be an insult? Because, this is starting to sound pretty tasty. A quick Google search and I come to find that going to hell in a hand basket has quite a history. Ready to learn something?

The saying go to "hell in a hand cart" is actually an old saying that can be dated back to the mid 1800's. People used to also say "go to hell in a wheelbarrow".  The change from hand cart to hand basket happened around the 1900's. This probably happened because of how easy it is to say, and it was cool to be different.  Just say it "Go to hell in a Hand basket" vs. "go to hell in a hand cart" eck that is sooooooo 1800's!!

Why the hand cart, you say? One theory I read was hand carts were used to catch the heads after getting executed by guillotine. Thus, 'go to hell in a hand cart' ....your head is ready and on its way. Sweet!  I am starting to like this saying more and more! 

For real though, would not say this to any one. If I was going to tell some one to "go to hell" I would just get to the point and say it...."Go to hell" Its straight forward; you know what I am trying to get across, and Google doesn't have to be involved. So who would say this? In my wonderful opinion, people who don't know what to say, would say this saying. They are in a argument and want to sound smart. They use a thousand words and only know the meaning to 1/4 of them. Then think "I win".....ummmm nope you just sound stupid. These people can't shut up and have to keep the argument going.
"Go to hell" the end .....I win!

Wanna confuse some and be a big nerd? Telling people, 'Go to heaven in a wheelbarrow' was a euphemistic way of saying 'going to hell'.
Ha, they won't know what they were just hit with!  

Let us all thank the wonderful people at phrases.org.