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Previous Thread Next Thread Print Thread Origin of phrases #163098 11/01/2006 6:47 PM Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 293 Orlando ParkinT enthusiast ParkinT enthusiast Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 293 Orlando 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 Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: Origin of phrases #163099 11/01/2006 7:14 PM Joined: Sep 2000 Posts: 2,891 belMarduk Carpal Tunnel belMarduk Carpal Tunnel Joined: Sep 2000 Posts: 2,891 I've never head that expression spoken to mean "fast". Actually, the only times I've ever heard it is on television when some angry person will say to the person he's angry at, "I'll nail your balls to the wall" I've never heard anybody say it in everyday life. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: Origin of phrases #163100 11/01/2006 7:18 PM Joined: Jun 2002 Posts: 7,210 Vermont Buffalo Shrdlu Carpal Tunnel Buffalo Shrdlu Carpal Tunnel Joined: Jun 2002 Posts: 7,210 Vermont I've heard, and used it as PT originatated it. formerly known as etaoin... Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: Origin of phrases #163101 11/01/2006 7:48 PM Joined: Sep 2000 Posts: 2,891 belMarduk Carpal Tunnel belMarduk Carpal Tunnel Joined: Sep 2000 Posts: 2,891 So how do you say it? Is is like "Yay, I love my new car. I get balls to the wall!" ? Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: Origin of phrases #163102 11/01/2006 7:49 PM Joined: Sep 2000 Posts: 2,788 Seattle, Washington, USA Father Steve Carpal Tunnel Father Steve Carpal Tunnel Joined: Sep 2000 Posts: 2,788 Seattle, Washington, USA See also this. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: Origin of phrases #163103 11/01/2006 8:31 PM Joined: Jun 2002 Posts: 7,210 Vermont Buffalo Shrdlu Carpal Tunnel Buffalo Shrdlu Carpal Tunnel Joined: Jun 2002 Posts: 7,210 Vermont Quote: So how do you say it? Is is like "Yay, I love my new car. I get balls to the wall!" ? no, no. like "let's go! balls to the wall!" formerly known as etaoin... Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: Origin of phrases #163104 11/01/2006 8:31 PM Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 6,511 lower upstate New York AnnaStrophic Carpal Tunnel AnnaStrophic Carpal Tunnel Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 6,511 lower upstate New York Quote: I've heard, and used it as PT originatated it. Heh. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Moderated by  Jackie  Hop To General Topics ------  Information and announcements  Q&A about words  Wordplay and fun  Words and languages in schools  Miscellany  Weekly Themes  Looking for (writers, speakers,... (Old) Weekly themes. (have been... ------  Words from medicine  Beheading words  Meta-words  Words from classical mythology  Animal Safari  Words with unusual etymologies  Eponyms or words derived from p...  Loanwords from German  English as a global language Print Thread Switch to Threaded Mode Show Likes Link Copied to Clipboard View Profile Private Message Website Follow User Forum Posts Like Summary View Profile Private Message Follow User Forum Posts Like Summary View Profile Private Message Website Follow User Forum Posts Like Summary View Profile Private Message Follow User Forum Posts Like Summary View Profile Private Message Follow User Forum Posts Like Summary View Profile Private Message Website Follow User Forum Posts Like Summary View Profile Private Message Follow User Forum Posts Like Summary

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