well, everyone knows that ‘to coin’ originally meant to literally mint a new coing (stamp the image on it to make it the real deal). That was back in the 14th century, and in the late 16th century it became more common to consider ‘to coin’ as to create or invent something. Around 1940 is when the exact usage of ‘to coin a phrase’ was normal around town.
Perhaps, as with all great things, it is named after it’s coiner, Mr. Coin, inventer of the coin, the smallish tree, and the occasional burst of laughter, though the second invention is still in dispute
Tim, I don’t think you could ever find out who actually coined it. It’s like asking who began saying the words ‘cher bro’. These phrases just grow from cultures and sayings of the day till no one knows who ‘started it’ but everyone says it.
well, everyone knows that ‘to coin’ originally meant to literally mint a new coing (stamp the image on it to make it the real deal). That was back in the 14th century, and in the late 16th century it became more common to consider ‘to coin’ as to create or invent something. Around 1940 is when the exact usage of ‘to coin a phrase’ was normal around town.
Well well well, aren’t we a mister smarty pants. Dave, who exactly coined it? ‘Around 1940’ is not good enough, I’m sorry.
Perhaps, as with all great things, it is named after it’s coiner, Mr. Coin, inventer of the coin, the smallish tree, and the occasional burst of laughter, though the second invention is still in dispute
Tim, I don’t think you could ever find out who actually coined it. It’s like asking who began saying the words ‘cher bro’. These phrases just grow from cultures and sayings of the day till no one knows who ‘started it’ but everyone says it.
anyways, why exactly do you want to know?
Was kind of kidding.