Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us  

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#192434 08/12/2010 2:51 PM
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5
Nan
Offline
stranger
stranger
Offline
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5
A friend just emailed me that a particular election was a "shoe-in." I think it should be "shoo-in" but not sure. And it made me curious about where the phrase comes from. Anyone know?

Nan #192438 08/12/2010 3:00 PM
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
it's shoo-in, from the interjection 'shoo!', and from horse-racing argot.

1908 G. E. SMITH Racing Maxims & Methods of ‘Pittsburgh Phil’ ix. 123 There were many times presumably that ‘Tod’ would win through such manipulations, being ‘shooed in’, as it were. [OED online]


Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics13,915
Posts230,268
Members9,208
Most Online4,606
Sep 17th, 2025
Newest Members
JerryC, blvd, Tony Hood, Wood Delivery, Forix Richard
9,208 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
JerryC 1
Top Posters
wwh 13,858
Faldage 13,803
Jackie 11,613
wofahulicodoc 11,128
tsuwm 10,542
LukeJavan8 9,974
AnnaStrophic 6,511
Wordwind 6,296
of troy 5,400
Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.

Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat

© 1994-2025 Wordsmith

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 8.0.1