Wordsmith Talk |
About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us | |||
Register Log In Wordsmith.org Forums General Topics Q&A about words Origin of phrases
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
OP I know we are all drawn to this place by our affection for words.
And discovering the origin of words is one thing I find quite fascinating.
But, there are many phrases we use that have obscure and even comically roots.
I was suprised (pleasantly) to learn the origin of the expression:
"Balls to the wall" It comes from the early days of air warfare, where the throttle controls for individual engines were levers - each with a ball on the top - and when they were pressed all the way forward; touching the firewall, the ship was at full throttle.
BALLS TO THE WALL.
Anyone have others?
------
Did you ever wonder...?
"I am certain there is too much certainty in the world" -Michael Crichton
Entire Thread Subject Posted By Posted Origin of phrases ParkinT 11/01/06 06:47 PM Re: Origin of phrases belMarduk 11/01/06 07:14 PM Re: Origin of phrases Buffalo Shrdlu 11/01/06 07:18 PM Re: Origin of phrases belMarduk 11/01/06 07:48 PM Re: Origin of phrases Buffalo Shrdlu 11/01/06 08:31 PM Re: Origin of phrases Father Steve 11/01/06 07:49 PM Re: Origin of phrases AnnaStrophic 11/01/06 08:31 PM
Moderated by Jackie
Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics Forums16Topics13,913Posts229,350Members9,182 Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
Newest Members Ineffable, ddrinnan, TRIALNERRA, befuddledmind, KILL_YOUR_SUV
9,182 Registered Users
Who's Online Now 0 members (), 773 guests, and 1 robot. Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days) A C Bowden 22ddrinnan 1
Top Posters wwh 13,858Faldage 13,803Jackie 11,613wofahulicodoc 10,549tsuwm 10,542LukeJavan8 9,918Buffalo Shrdlu 7,210AnnaStrophic 6,511Wordwind 6,296of troy 5,400
Forum Rules · Mark All Read Contact Us · Forum Help · Wordsmith.org