An agreement or understanding involving mutual benefit where each party helps the other in exchange for similar assistance. It describes a reciprocal arrangement based on mutual self-interest.
The phrase stems from the literal impossibility of scratching one's own back, making mutual assistance necessary. This practical reality became a metaphor for reciprocal relationships, with the expression appearing in English by the 18th century.
This phrase perfectly captures the essence of reciprocal altruism—the idea that cooperation can emerge from mutual self-interest rather than pure generosity. It's simultaneously cynical and practical, acknowledging that most relationships involve some element of mutual benefit rather than one-sided giving.
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