Reference to back in the mid to late 1800s, where freed black slaves were given 40 acres of land and one mule. Hardly a
fair trade, but none the less, a fact. However, the term has been adopted to describe how tough a person is, particularly made famous by
Jim Ross and the
WWF/WWE.
"Ol'
Stone Cold is tougher than a
government mule! Hes stompin' a
mudhole in his ass and walking it dry!"