I knew that "fell" as an adjective meant "terrible" (exposure to a computer RPG that had a "fell beast" as an enemy type helped); so I kind of guessed that if you do everything "in one fell swoop" it means with one terrible, indiscriminate strike.
"Fell beast" is a phrase J. R. R
Tolkien used in The Lord of the Rings [1], probably owing to his study of medieval literature. The more current usage may have stemmed from reading his works.
[1] http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Fell_beasts
Did you not read the article?
It is clearly Shakespeare who popularized - if not outright invented - the term.
Shakespeare owns the English language. No single author has done as much to contribute to its continued confabulation.
I meant Tolkien may have originated the term "fell beast", not "fell" in general.
Interesting, I've been saying this for a long time without even knowing what it was. I think I said "in one fall swoop" TIL I guess.