text: does anyone know where the expression dead ringer comes from.. answer supplied when first correct answer given   comes from england. there was a time when 'death" wasn't such a sure thing, but the body was buried anyway. a bell was included in the coffin. if a buried "undead" awoke, he/she would ring the bell. attendents in the grave yard, hopefully would hear and dig them up...hence, a "dead person" was ringing a bell.