<P> The expression has disputed origins . Those suggested are from public school, the armed services, or possibly the British House of Commons . </P> <P> It is common practice in many long - established schools for roll - call to be taken twice a day, at which the pupils line up with their toes exactly along a particular line on the floor, while their names are called out for them to respond to, indicating their presence . </P> <P> It is commonly and erroneously thought that its origins lie in the British House of Commons where sword - strapped members were instructed to stand behind lines that were two sword - lengths apart from their political rivals in order to restore decorum . However, there is no record of a time when Members of Parliament were allowed to bring swords into the Chamber . Historically, only the Serjeant at Arms carries a sword as a symbol of his role in Parliament . There are loops of pink ribbon in the Members' cloakroom for MPs to hang up their swords before entering the Chamber to this very day as a result of this rule . In fact, there were not any lines in the Chamber in the days that gentlemen carried swords . </P> <P> The most likely origin of the term goes back to the wooden decked ships of the Royal Navy during the late 17th or early 18th century . Barefooted seamen had to stand at attention for inspection and had to line up on deck along the seams of the wooden planks, hence to "toe the line". The first mention of this use in literature stems from a story about navy life widely published in 1831 and written by Captain Basil Hall RN . Hall served in the Royal Navy from 1802 . </P>

Where did the phrase toe the line come from