"Beat around the bush" means to avoid talking about something directly. However where does this phrase come from? Let's take a look.
The phrase 'beat around the bush' or 'beat about the bush' originated from the literal practice of beating bushes during bird hunts to rouse the birds. This served as a preamble to the main event of capturing the birds, allowing others to 'cut to the chase' and catch them in nets. Such beaters are still used in grouse hunting and other forms of hunt today.
It first appeared in the anonymous medieval poem "Generydes – A Romance in Seven-line Stanzas, circa 1440"
Butt as it hath be sayde full long agoo,
Some bete the bussh and some the byrdes take
