This charming phrase for two bodies writhing in passion's wrestling ring was first used in English in 1604 by Shakespeare in Othello. Iago says, "I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs."It appears in French in Rabelais' 1532 work, Gargantua and Pantagruel, in this delightful line: "In the vigour of his age he married Gargamelle, daughter to the King of the Parpaillons, a jolly pug, and well-mouthed wench. These two did oftentimes do the two-backed beast together, joyfully rubbing and frotting their bacon 'gainst one another."
Perhaps the origin of the term makin' bacon...
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