Here's how it likely evolved:
* "Bought the farm": This older phrase, meaning to die, likely originated from the idea of someone dying in a war and "buying" a plot of land (a farm) in the afterlife, or simply a place to rest.
* "Bought it": The phrase "bought the farm" shortened to "bought it" over time. This shortening makes it more direct and less literal, making it more suitable for everyday use.
* "Bought it" with violence: The phrase eventually started to be used specifically when someone died violently, as if their life was "bought" by a bullet, accident, or other violent event.
While the phrase doesn't have a precise historical origin, it reflects the harsh reality of violence and the idea of someone being "taken" from this life.