In like Flynn; Run for the Roses; Yoot

[A. Vine]

Bapopik at AOL.COM wrote:
> IN LIKE FLYNN
>
> FEBRUARY 6, 1943  Errol Flynn is acquitted of the statutory rape of two
> teenage girls.  The incident spawns the expression "in like Flynn."
> --LOS ANGELES magazine, June 1999, "THE SEX ISSUE!," "the sexual time line of
> L. A.," pg. 72, col. 1.
>
>      The RHHDAS has 1945 for "in like Flynn."
>
> From "Kathleen A. Tamony," 3 July 1940:
>     "Your name is Flynn...you're in."
>      Official of BILLY ROSES's "Aquacade"--Golden Gate International
> Exposition (Tamony's wrong.  It's the New York 1939-40 World's Fair--ed.)--to
> party of people, telling them that they would receive passes for 9 pm. show.
>
> From the SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER, 8 February 1942, sports, pg. 2, col. 1:
>      Answer these questions correctly and your name is Flynn, meaning you're
> in, provided you have two left feet and the written consent of your parents.
>
> From the SAN FRANCISCO CALL-BULLETIN, 9 February 1943, pg. 7, col. 5:
>      SEEMS AS though my guess about the derivation of the phrase, "I'm Flynn"
> wasn't altogether correct.  I said it meant one was all set, ready, fixed,
> etc.--and that's right.  But two correspondents, O. B. and John O'Reilly
> agree that it began with some such phrase as "Well, I'm in like Flynn."
> Finally, you were "in, Flynn."  Now it's just "I'm Flynn."  The reverse of
> the phrase is not common, but it started with "I'm out like Stout," which was
> shortened to "out, Stout" and is now "I'm Stout" (meaning things aren't so
> good).
>

Sounds like an American version of rhyming cockney slang.

Andrea
--
Andrea Vine
Sun Internet Mail Server i18n architect
avine at eng.sun.com
Romanes eunt domus.