<P> Barking up the wrong tree is an idiomatic expression in English, which is used to suggest a mistaken emphasis in a specific context . The phrase is an allusion to the mistake made by dogs when they believe they have chased a prey up a tree, but the game may have escaped by leaping from one tree to another . The phrase means to mistake one's object, or to pursue the wrong course to obtain it . </P> <P> In other words, "if you are barking up the wrong tree, it means that you have completely misunderstood something or are totally wrong ." </P> <P> Barking up the wrong tree became common use in nineteenth century America in reference to hunting raccoons with a hunting dog . When the nocturnal animal takes to a tree, the dog is supposed to remain at the base of the tree until its master arrives . However, in the dark, if the dog mistakes the tree where the raccoon has taken refuge, the hunter may lose it . The expression was commonly used by writers of western life and tales, appearing in works by James Hall, David Crockett, and Albert Pike . </P> <Ul> <Li> 1833--"It doesn't take a Philadelphia lawyer to tell that the man who serves the master one day, and the enemy six, has just six chances out of seven to go to the devil . You are barking up the wrong tree, Johnson ."--James Hall, Legends of the West, p. 46 . </Li> <Li> 1833--"I told him that he reminded me of the meanest thing on God's earth, an old coon dog barking up the wrong tree ."--Sketches of David Crockett," p. 58 . (New York). </Li> <Li> 1834--"(The Indians) to use a Western phrase, barked up the wrong tree when they got hold of Tom Smith ." </Li> <Li> 1836--"You've been barking up the wrong tree, cried the Ohioan ."--Knickerbocker Magazine, p. vii. 15 January 1836 . </Li> <Li> 1838--"Instead of having treed their game, gentlemen will find themselves still barking up the wrong tree ."--Mr. Duncan of Ohio in the United States House of Representatives, July 7: Congressional Globe, p. 474, Appendix . </Li> <Li> 1839--"The same reckless indifference which causes a puppy to bark up the wrong tree .--Chemung (NY) Democrat, September 18 . 1839 . </Li> </Ul>

Where did barking up the wrong tree originated from
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