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Close enough for government work
Source for this phrase — a military contractor
Dear Mr. Alice, This may be a tough one, but I was wondering where the expression “close enough for government work” comes from. I have asked many people over the years but never even got guesses. — J.T., San Diego
Well, I’ll give you guesses. Sonny Bono? Clinton’s caddie? Dole’s campaign manager? The Pentagon guys who bought the $700 toilet seats? No, I’ve got it. Definitely the FBI. Actually, I’ve found no authentic origin either. I’ll open it up to the collective wisdom of you Alicelanders.
Update on Nov. 27:
Moldy item number two is the shoulder-shrugging we did about the expression “close enough for government work.” Seems to be no reliable story on the source of the phrase. I say again source. Not meaning. Source. Please, no more notes on what it means. Though I’ll pass along a contribution from Rex Adkins, “I think government work is sex — but I can’t prove it.” You’ll get no argument from us, Rex.
Drawing on my vast pool of knowledge (100 miles wide, ankle deep, and occasionally clogged with hydrilla), I’d guess the phrase appeared during one of the world wars. Numero dos? A military contractor, perhaps? We trudge on, seeking illumination.
Here's something you might be interested in.
Close enough for government work
Source for this phrase — a military contractor
Close enough for government work
Source for this phrase — a military contractor
Dear Mr. Alice, This may be a tough one, but I was wondering where the expression “close enough for government work” comes from. I have asked many people over the years but never even got guesses. — J.T., San Diego
Well, I’ll give you guesses. Sonny Bono? Clinton’s caddie? Dole’s campaign manager? The Pentagon guys who bought the $700 toilet seats? No, I’ve got it. Definitely the FBI. Actually, I’ve found no authentic origin either. I’ll open it up to the collective wisdom of you Alicelanders.
Update on Nov. 27:
Moldy item number two is the shoulder-shrugging we did about the expression “close enough for government work.” Seems to be no reliable story on the source of the phrase. I say again source. Not meaning. Source. Please, no more notes on what it means. Though I’ll pass along a contribution from Rex Adkins, “I think government work is sex — but I can’t prove it.” You’ll get no argument from us, Rex.
Drawing on my vast pool of knowledge (100 miles wide, ankle deep, and occasionally clogged with hydrilla), I’d guess the phrase appeared during one of the world wars. Numero dos? A military contractor, perhaps? We trudge on, seeking illumination.
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