E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Spoke (noun).
I have put my spoke into his wheel. I have shut him up. The allusion is to the pin or spoke used to lock wheels in machinery.
1
Don’t put your spoke into my wheel. Don’t interfere with my business; Let my wheel turn, and don’t you put a pin in to stop it or interrupt its movement. The Dutch have “Een spaak in t’wiel steeken,” to thwart a purpose.
2
When solid wheels were used, the driver was provided with a pin or spoke, which he thrust into one of the three holes made to receive it, to skid the cart when it went down-hill. The carts used by railway navvies, and tram-waggons used in collieries, still have a wheel “spoked” in order to skid it.
