"The lights out"

[Cohen, Gerald Leonard]

        How about a power surge knocking out the lights in a house?  "Lights out" would then refer to awe-inspiring power.

        Gerald Cohen

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> bapopik at AOL.COM wrote:
> Subject: "The lights out"
> ------------------------------------------------------
>
> Anyone have any ideas?
> ...
> --Barry Popik (who has lots of free time)
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jafinder
> To: Bapopik
> Sent: Sun, 31 Jul 2005 4:55:14 PM Eastern Daylight Time
> Subject: A question from Henry Finder's brother
>
>
> Barry -- I'm writing at the suggestion of my brother. I'm trying to find the origin/derivation of the baseball cliche "lights out," as in:
>
> "He pitched lights out in September for us last year, too," said Giants GM Brian Sabean. (ESPN).
>
> But as Joe Sheehan noted Monday, the Indians bullpen has pitched lights-out. (baseballprospectus.com)
>
> Obviously it means "really well," but where from? And is it hyphenated, properly? I've asked Roger Angell and Nicky Dawidoff, and neither knows.
> many thanks,
> Joe Finder
>
>
>
> www.josephfinder.com
>
>
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