Phrase Origin

Orcaspaw · #1 Jan 29, 2005, 05:00 PM

I have been unable to find the origin of the phrase "close enough for government work." While it is now derogatory and suggestive of sloppy work, I was under the impression it originated with a meaning just the opposite due to stringent specifications for government construction contracts.

Can you provide any references for its origin?

Rob

edututor · Apr 22, 2005, 09:38 PM

Phrase Origins.

http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_b...sages/103.html

D.C. Hammer · Oct 9, 2005, 12:21 PM

At http://www.rabble.ca/babble/ultimate...&f=14&t=000404, a discussion forum at Babble, scroll down to Jim Rodger's post.

He sez: "'Close enough for government work.' (First heard from artillerymen of the 4th Infantry Division, An Khe, Vietnam, 1970, upon shelling the wrong village or trail or whatever.)"

I have not been able to verify this elswhere.

Dave_d · Nov 14, 2005, 04:28 PM

I worked at Raytheon in Andover Massachusetts between 1960-1964.

I worked on the Army Hawk Missile system, and the expression "Close enough for Government Work" was being used in a derogatory manner at that time.



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