All The Marbles Idiom Origin

Marbles as a term for a person s mental faculties probably originated as early 20th century american slang.

All the marbles idiom origin.

Marbles meaning mental faculties common sense is from 1927 american english slang perhaps oed from earlier slang marbles furniture personal effects the goods 1864 hotten a corrupt translation of french meubles plural furniture see furniture. Typically used in the phrase for all the marbles which is said when one is on the verge of victory. Very often with a negative or said to convey doubt i don t think he has all his marbles. The underlying reference is apparently to the children s game played with multicoloured glass balls.

1998 spectator at least that is how i recall the event but i am losing my marbles. The film is known outside the us as the california dolls because all the marbles is an american idiom which is not understood in most other countries. It has been suggested that the losing one s mind meaning derives from the elgin marbles. It was directed by robert aldrich and stars peter falk vicki frederick and laurene landon.

What does the idiom all the marbles mean. They ve been found in the ashes of pompeii and in the tombs of ancient egyptians and they were played with by native american. 1998 spectator at least that is how i recall the event but i am losing my marbles. All the marbles is a 1981 comedy drama film about the trials and travails of a female wrestling tag team and their manager.

Have all one s marbles fig. Marbles also meant testicles and has been used that way since at least the mid 19th century. Share a link to this answer. To be mentally sound.

The underlying reference is apparently to the children s game played with multicoloured glass balls. The tennis match came down to a single tie breaker for all the marbles. The entire prize or reward. All possible prizes or rewards.

These are the collection of sculptures some from the parthenon frieze which were taken from athens by lord elgin in 1806. Believe it or not but no one really knows where marbles originated. The pittsburgh steeler hall of famer mean joe greene plays himself.