Many people have often wondered about the origin of this phrase. Here are the most likely sources: 1. Chivalry. In the ancient past: When cave dwellers used to hear sound from the outside, they would send the women out of the cave first so that the men could attack the bears and wild animals from behind. During the middle ages, knights used to place their coat over a puddle of mud, in order to allow women to pass over to the other side safely and cleanly. 2. A love ...