It won't fly

[GLL]

: Does this Yiddish expression have any relation to the English "It won't
: fly", where "it" is a proposal that is unworkable or a proposition that
: won't be believed?

I tend to conjure images of the enthusiastic mix of mechanical genius and
outright whack-jobbery of the late 19th and early 20th century barn and
garage inventors attempting to build all manner of flying machines and
contraptions.

One hilarious summary of these and other 'better mousetraps' of the day is the
1974 film 'Gizmo!' and it certainly includes many ideas that won't fly.

- GLL

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