Talk:bend over backwards

does anyone know where or the history of this phrase. Where and when it started?
 * I can find it in print in the idiomatic sense c. 1880. I wonder whether it was influenced by the reports in the 19th century of dancers from exotic places who could literally do so. DCDuring TALK 13:22, 3 April 2013 (UTC)

fall over backward
[no obj Bend, lean, or fall over backward, to make a serious effort] --Backinstadiums (talk) 09:07, 15 August 2021 (UTC)