<P> "To rob Peter to pay Paul", or other versions that have developed over the centuries such as "to borrow from Peter to pay Paul", and "to unclothe Peter to clothe Paul", are phrases meaning to take from one person or thing to give to another, especially when it results in the elimination of one debt by incurring another . There are many other variants and similar phrases in numerous languages . "Maneuvering the Apostles", which has the same meaning, was derived from this expression . In patchwork, "Rob Peter to pay Paul" is an alternative name for the Drunkard's Path patchwork block . </P> <P> Legend has it that the phrase alludes to an event in mid-16th century England in which the abbey church of Saint Peter, Westminster was deemed a cathedral by letters patent; but ten years later it was absorbed into the diocese of London when the diocese of Westminster was dissolved, and a few years after that many of its assets were expropriated for repairs to Saint Paul's Cathedral . However, the phrase was popular even before that, dating back to at least the late 14th century . </P>

Where does the saying robbing peter to pay paul come from