To quote the reference on the page:
[quote] "Balls to the Wall"
The phrase originates from the steam centrifugal governor. Since the spinning device could be dangerous, it was enclosed in a cylinder whose inside diameter matched the full speed of the device. When a steam engine, which used this governor, was pushed to full throttle it was said to be “balls to the wall.” While there are sources on the internet for this, as far as I know none of them are original sources. There may be original research from language or social experts that can pin the phrase to the steam engine. [/quote]
I have read and heard that earlier (not current) elevators used a centrifugal governor to control their speed.
If you are familiar with what “Google says” why do you persist in advancing the discredited etymology? The phrase “balls to the wall” is traced back to pilots, not elevator operators.
The expression is first found in military-aviation sources that date from the Vietnam War, and it was recorded in the slang of U.S. Air Force Academy cadets in 1969. Although no evidence from the period has come to light, Korean War veterans have also reliably claimed to have used the expression in the 1950s.
Because you’re assuming it is correct when it may not be.
I’m glad you know how to quote a slate article though. That’s really cool.
Indeed, it may not. Yet the timeline seems more in favor of pilots than elevators.
No body going to mention the origin of the phrase “bollucks to the ceiling”?
Kids these days. No sense of history:
Speaking of words – I’m having trouble pronouncing a new term. When referring to Trump supporters, is it pronounced TRUMP-an-zees or trump-AN-zees?
Well, your first problem is that you mispelled it.
I almost posted this yesterday in response to the conversation. Hahaha.
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