Here's how it works:
1. Logs were tightly packed together: Loggers would tightly bind logs together with chains or ropes, creating a dense, floating mass.
2. Log jams were a frequent problem: Logs would often become tangled and stuck, forming impassable blockages called "log jams."
3. "Loggerheads" were tools to break up the jams: A "loggerhead" was a large, heavy hammer used to break up the tangled logs.
Therefore, being "at loggerheads" means to be in a state of complete deadlock, like two logs locked together in a jam. The image suggests stubbornness, conflict, and an inability to move forward.
The phrase is a powerful metaphor, highlighting the image of two opposing forces locked in a fierce struggle.
It's important to note that the use of the term "loggerhead" has evolved over time. While it originally referred to the specific tool, it later came to be used to describe a stubborn or obstinate person.
So, the next time you find yourself in a heated debate, remember the image of those tangled logs and the heavy loggerhead trying to break them apart. That's what being "at loggerheads" truly means!