[Ads-l] "Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades."

[Jonathan Lighter]

As soon as I sent the post, I realized I hadn't checked the DMP.

Thanks for the 1965 ex.

JL

On Sun, Apr 24, 2016 at 11:13 PM, ADSGarson O'Toole <
adsgarsonotoole at gmail.com> wrote:

> Excellent citations, JL. Barry Popik has an entry for the saying with
> a citation in 1967. The Dictionary of Modern Proverbs has entry with a
> citation in 1970. Here is a new earlier instance in 1965.
>
> Date: December 4, 1965
> Newspaper: Elwood Call-Leader
> Newspaper Location: Elwood, Indiana
> Article: Rebels Muscle 'n Hustle Past Panther, 72-48
> Byline: Gene Conard (Call-Leader Sports Editor)
> Quote Page 6, Column 2
> Database: Newspapers.com (Publisher Extra)
>
> [Begin excerpt]
> Elwood had a lot of good shots come close in the early and middle
> stages, but like they say -- close counts only in horseshoes and hand
> grenades -- and the Rebs got all the bangs.
> [End excerpt]
>
> Barry Popik's entry on this topic also has a citation for the adage
> based on horseshoes alone.
>
>
> http://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_city/entry/close_only_counts_in_horseshoes_and_hand_grenades
>
> [Begin excerpt]
> 29 July 1914, Marshfield (WI) Times, pg. 8, col. 3:
> Pitching horseshoes is about the only game where being “close” counts.
> [End excerpt]
>
> Garson
>
>
> On Sun, Apr 24, 2016 at 7:58 PM, Jonathan Lighter
> <wuxxmupp2000 at gmail.com> wrote:
> > I've known this saying since the early 80s. It wasn't slangy enough for
> > HDAS II.
> >
> > 1971 _Plain Dealer_ [Cleveland, O.] (Aug. 1) 32: Close only counts in
> such
> > divertissements as horseshoes and hand grenades.
> >
> > 1976 _Wall Street Journal_ (Feb. 26) 1:  Says Fitzhugh Powell, Mr.
> > Wallace's state chairman: "Close don't count except in horseshoes and
> hand
> > grenades."
> >
> > JL
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > "If the truth is half as bad as I think it is, you can't handle the
> truth."
> >
> > ------------------------------------------------------------
> > The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org
>



-- 
"If the truth is half as bad as I think it is, you can't handle the truth."

------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org