He was a campaign manager for the Democratic party during the 1930s and 40s and was well-known to be highly effective at arranging political successes. It is in like Flynn and means to be committed to the hilt. "In like Flynn" is a slang phrase meaning "having quickly or easily achieved a goal or gained access as desired". To judge from a newspaper reference he turned up from early 1943, the phrase could by then also be shortened to I'm Flynn, meaning "I'm in". Origin in like flynnThis phrase is commonly said to be a reference to Errol Flynn, the Australian film actor. He was a Democratic activist in the 1940s and was most known as Franklin Delano Roosevelts campaign manager. We are human. Errol Flynns particular notoriety as someone especially likely to be in in a sexual sense came about after his trial in 1943, although he was already known as a screen romantic lead. (1892-1953), a campaign manager for the U.S. Democratic party meaning you're in, provided you have two left feet and the written 29 reviews #235 of 1,017 Restaurants in Baltimore $$ - $$$ American Irish Bar. The earliest recorded use of the phrase is in a December 1946 edition of American Speech: In like Flynn, everything is O.K. Posted in Dates & Girlfriends, Flynn and, Gentleman Tim, Main Page, Newspaper & Headlines, Wow! Washington CNN In a video posted online over the weekend, President Donald Trump's first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, is seen using phrases and slogans that are hallmarks of the. John said Im in like Flynn, but Im not so sure. (Above text from Google Answers.) All rights reserved. 1. interj. Hes vell in, said my owner, very vell in. Third-party cookies like YouTube and Google Advertising cookies are not necessary for the functioning of the site and can be disabled at your preference. What was this phrase and why is it, therefore, incorrect? It will be cited for years, including by this criminal defense attorney, in future cases. Flynn was famous for his romantic swashbuckler roles in Hollywood films and for his flamboyant private life. Flynn, a charming Irish surname, is still used only quietly, despite its easygoing, casual cowboy charm, unlike Finn which is a star of this genre. Another possible figure who could plausibly have been the source Unless one is referring to the aforementioned movie, the correct idiom is in like Flynn. Tell George not to worry about making friends at school, he is in like Flynn with our crowd. To be in like Flynn means to be "quickly and easily successful.". Those citations don't have the sexual connotations that the phrase acquired later. of the phrase is in a December 1946 edition of American Speech: "In like Flynn, everything is O.K. Windzepher/iStock. The phrase can also mean to be accepted by a set of people without question. Manage Settings I n like Flynn Meaning To be quickly and/or emphatically successful, usually in a sexual or romantic context. Last updated May 21 2021. That doesn't have the sexual connotations that the phrase My book of word and phrase origins says "Chicago's 'Boss' Flynn's machine never lost an election and was always 'in office' inspiring the expression In like Flynn, meaning to have it made. so successful at winning elections that his candidates seemed to be "Fox . His reputation as a hard-drinking, hell-raising This phrase is commonly said to be a reference to Errol Flynn, the Australian film actor. Edward J. Flynn had not been associated with the phrase in like Flynn prior to the efforts by etymologists to explain it though and no records from the 1940s make any such link. It originally appeared on US babies in 1913 when 5 of them were born. Youre in like Flynn! Flynn, with some irony, called his autobiography 'You're the Boss', All rights reserved. This supersync4d wrote: What the heck is that? The passage above refers to Flynns 1942-43 Statutory rape trial, where he was acquitted, thought to be the origin of the phrases association with Flynn. You got the role! That is quoted exactly as it is in the phrase origin book. He found an example from 1940, and another from the San Francisco Examiner sports Section, in 1942: Answer these questions correctly and your name is Flynn, meaning youre in, provided you have two left feet and the written consent of your parents.. This is a rude expression. Hell in a Handbasket Meaning, Origin and Usage, Get the Hell Out of Dodge Meaning, Origin and Usage, Hell Hath No Fury like a Woman Scorned Meaning, Origin and Usage, Back to School Necklace Meaning, Origin and Usage, Unalived at School Meaning, Origin and Usage, In Due Time (In Due Course) Meaning, Origin and Usage, Out of the Blue Meaning, Origin and Usage, Down to Earth Meaning, Origin and Usage. Laugh at meaning | laugh at sentences | Common English Idioms #shorts. For his celebrity, it became well-known by association with him. The proper way to say the phrase is in like Flynn. The phrase 'in like Flynn' is a direct reference to actor Errol Flynn, who was famous for his romantic roles in Hollywood films as well as for his exciting, romantic private life. The earliest recorded use of the phrase is in a December 1946 edition of American Speech: "In like Flynn, everything is O.K. Such Machiavellian organizers were known as bosses. According to etymologist Michael Quinion, the incident served to increase Flynn's reputation as a ladies' man, which influenced the connotations of the phrase "in like Flynn". If someone is in like a dirty shirt, they are fully involved in something. New York: Oxford UP, 2004. Continue with Recommended Cookies. It's suggested by some writers that the phrase really originated with another Flynn, Edward J Flynn "Boss" Flynn a campaign manager for the Democratic party during FDR's presidency. I gave an amazing interview, Im sure that Im in like Flynn for the job. When Sue came out of the board room, she didnt show a hint of emotion. If the Please help us correct them. In like Flynn Meaning: A real ladies' man. Is there an opportunity that has arisen that you think someone should take? A sequel to the spy-spoof,Our Man Flintfrom 1966,In Like Flintcaused many people to think this was the original expression. (The in can be construed to be the in of in coitu. Theres also an earlier, albeit oblique, reference from 1942 in The San Francisco Examiner (Sports section): Answer these questions correctly and your name is Flynn, meaning youre in, provided you have two left feet and the written consent of your parents.. However, in truth, there is no strong evidence of its connection to either man. There are only so many spots left in this class, if you want to finish out this school year, you need to be in like Flynn and get on it. Other similar sounding names can be Fillin, Felina, Foolan, Folami, Felim, Fullan. This was a sequel to the 1966 Our Man Flint and presumably the screenwriters, on the lookout for another 'Flint' phrase, opted for a play on 'In like Flynn'. Oh, you're in like Flynn now if the popular girls like you! If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. The answer to the question is that it's not a good name for girls, but it's not bad if you're looking for a boy name. Where did the saying 'In Like Flynn' come from? phrase does derive from his name then it appears to have been In many instances, the phrase specifically means to be a part of the in-crowd, or to get in with a certain group. There is some contention about which "Flynn" triggered the creation of the idiom, which we will cover now. much more likely that Errol Flynn is the Flynn in question and, The most common belief is that the phrase was coined on behalf of Errol Flynn, who was an Australian actor. The 1967 James Coburn starred in the film, In Like Flint. Word Myths: Debunking Linguistic Urban Legends. Then again it also meant success in any endeavor. Allen, R. E. Allens Dictionary of English Phrases. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. The other claim, however, favored by Americans, is that the idiom refers to Edward J. altogether in. Based on the story of Australian war-veteran and actor Errol Flynn, the plot follows the early days of his life before reaching fame as a celebrity between the 1930s and the 1950s. It has this term. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. My cousins grandfather Flynn was a merchant marine and Im sure his stories would curl yer ear! Unfortunately, this has caused many people to use in like flint instead of the . It can also refer to sexual success or to both professional and sexual success. allege that it originated in allusion to Edward Joseph "Boss" Flynn feats.". Flynn-Evans also notes sleeping separately should not be the solution if a partner is having sleep trouble. One still wonders what he meant exactly. The earliest recorded use Flynn, with some irony, called his autobiography Youre the Boss, in a reference to the American voting public. Jack & Louise Marino's Errol Flynn 1ooth Centenial Party, An Extraordinary Gentleman-Prof. Lincoln D Hurst, Erin DeWitt I Freelance Film & Video Editor. coined in regard to his all-round flamboyance and fame - which were Advertising cookies are used to serve personalized ads. For instance, he titled his autobiography - My Wicked, Wicked Ways and also did nothing to dispel the incredible but nonetheless widespread rumours as to the the size of his penis and the number of women who had shared his bed. As a kid in the 50s and 60s, In like Flynn meant like in with the in crowd. Flynn himself refers to the phrase in his autobiography,My Wicked, Wicked Ways: The Autobiography of Errol Flynn: crowds thronged into the theaters to see my pictures and get a double laughat the film fare and to enjoy seeing the man who gave them so much entertainment over and beyond the call of picture-making. From Australian-born Hollywood actor Errol Flynn, who apparently enjoyed an active sex life. having no more trouble than Errol Flynn has in his cinematic Former national security adviser Michael Flynn described the most well-known QAnon slogan as a "great phrase" while speaking at an event in Nashville, Tennessee.. Flynn, seen as one of the leading . He seemed to win elections without breaking a sweat, to the extent that his candidate was an automatic win. The word in had been used with regard to success, good fortune or sexual conquest for some years prior to the 1940s; for example: John Mills' Life Race-Horse, 1854: "The handicapper considerately classed me among the middle ones, and awarded 6 st. 12 lb. One phrase that will work well in these situations is in like Flynn. In like Flynn an idiom that came into use in the twentieth century. remove his penis,they are knotted-hence the expression " By Mary Gormandy White, M.A. waldo. In Like Flynn is a 2018 Australian biographical film about the early life of actor Errol Flynn. as my burthen. Having a sure thing is also another meaning for the phrase. Your email address will not be published. So . On TikTok, there are more than 355,000 views for . (see also like, you know. surname, from Irish flann "red." Rhyming phrase in like Flynn is 1940s slang, said to have originated in the U.S. military, perhaps from alleged sexual exploits of Hollywood actor Errol Flynn (1909-1959). "If we are going to have one nation under God which we must we have to have one religion," Flynn said in San Antonio at a stop for the far-right "ReAwaken America" tour. It seems very ). The first written evidence of this is from 1945, in American Speech, where in like Flynn is said to be U.S. Air Force lingo for A-OK, supposedly referring to Errol Flynn. This phrase is commonly said to be a reference to Errol Flynn, Im in like Flynn, she replied, with a sly grin. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. during Franklin Delano Roosevelt's presidency. The expression is "in like Flint", and it comes from the movie If the phrase does derive from his name then it appears to have been coined in regard to his all-round flamboyance and fame - which were both considerable by 1942 - rather than specifically his sexual success. Men (and a few women), leaning against doorways or lampposts, like Humphrey Bogart or James Dean. The origins of this phrase/saying, is least of concerns around here. London: Penguin, 2006.,3Wilton, David. While speaking at the event, Flynn referenced a passage from the New Testament book of Matthew, saying, "You have to believe this, that God Almighty is, like, involved in this country, because . (Always with some form of be. although the phrase may have been used before he was at the peak of was a sequel to the 1966 Our Man Flint and presumably the Flint was an expert at sneaking in and getting a dangerous Whe dogs have sex and the male cannot Does anyone have a good "I'm in like . Such machiavellian organizers were known as bosses. This is a list of English words inherited and derived directly from the Old English stage of the language. In 2012, the name ranked #692 which is its highest ranking ever! Today I used it in an email and wrote after it "whoever Flynn is". Some claim the origin of In Like Flynn is connected to Reverend Flynn! Rhyming slang, however, never really caught on in America although, of course, some British immigrants must have brought examples with them. Ways and also did nothing to dispel the incredible but nonetheless It is a powerful affirmation in a case with classic elements of coercive prosecutorial misconduct. It is a multi-purpose phrase that, by being so common, has lost its sting and not as biting as it once was. 'He's vell in,' said my owner, 'very vell in. Source: London: Aurum, 2005. "We actually sat at dinner together," Flynn said of his meal with Vladimir Putin. In 1967, a movie starring James Coburn spoofed the expression. Based on what I'm thinking, it might be,. The highly distinguished Father Flynn, aka Flynn of the Inland, was founder of the first flying ambulance, not to mention author of The Bushmans Companion. If the phrase does derive from his name then it appears to have been coined in regard to his all-round flamboyance and fame which were both considerable by 1942 rather than specifically his sexual success. My Wicked, Wicked Ways: The Autobiography of Errol Flynn. Errol Flynn: Jack Marino's Salute to the Fabulous Flynn. The other claim to the phrase is thought that the idiom was created due to the infamous Edward J. Especially after he was acquitted of the statutory rape of a minor in February 1943. He was a campaign manager for the Democratic party during the 1930s and 40s and was well-known to be highly effective at arranging political successes. by James Coburn, is a fearless government agent, a super-spy, an Flynn was famous for his romantic swashbuckler roles in Hollywood films and for his flamboyant private life. In Like Flynn is a 2018 Australian biographical film about the early life of actor Errol Flynn. It seems very much more likely that Errol Flynn is the Flynn in question and, although the phrase may have been used before he was at the peak of his celebrity, it became well-known by association with him. "Similes and other evaluative idioms in Australian English", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=In_like_Flynn&oldid=1131894214, Wikipedia articles needing page number citations from January 2014, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2023, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 6 January 2023, at 08:05. Flynn resigned after just 22 days as Trump's national security adviser following reports that he had lied about his contact with a Russian official. Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary, blow (someone or something) to kingdom come, the webmaster's page for free fun content. " saying? a particle meaning roughly saying. Barry Popik of the American Dialect Society and Nattalie Grebenshikoff of the Gold Coast Literary Society found an example from 1940, as well as this from the sports section of the San Francisco Examiner of 8 February 1942: Answer these questions correctly and your name is Flynn, meaning youre in, provided you have two left feet and the written consent of your parents. Both theories might be true. I'm in like a night at yo momma's house when yo dads working late ? All of the above might lead us to believe that origin of the phrase in like Flynn is clear. I'm pretty sure that the quote is 'In like Flynn' and originated during Errol Flynn's statuatory rape trial. What's the origin of the phrase 'In like Flynn'? Her post got thousands of likes. ladies' man was apparently well justified, although it has There's now some confusion between the two phrases and some use 'In like Flint' as if it were synonymous with 'In like Flynn'. In like Flynn means to be immediately successful or to have achieved acceptance. Flynn was famous for his romantic The name Flynn is both a boy's name and a girl's name of Irish origin meaning "son of the red-haired one". Many needed to see the process . The earliest known use of the phrase in print is from the Utah newspaper The Orem-Geneva Times, February 1946: Flying in it [a P-47 aircraft] is really luxurious, as the G.I.s say "We're in like Flynn.". ', His luck for the moment was altogether in., Well, did Mr. Wilson get it in tonight?. All of the above might lead us to believe that origin of the Flynn was an Australian-born actor who was very famous for playing swashbucklers and playboys in Hollywood films. Want to see more videos from Idioms.Online? To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Where did the phrase in the buff come from? As so often though, things aren't quite as tidy as they might first seem. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. 'The son of a bitch has stolen my watch.'. The phrase refers to 20th-century actor Errol Flynn. Whoever this other Flynn may have been, Errol proved to almost everyone that fame (and size) really do matter. See movies with idioms for titles. Flynn, with some irony, called his autobiography 'You're the Boss', in a reference to the American voting public. Flynn's machine was "Couples should always seek treatment from a professional to identify sleep disorders. of women who had shared his bed. swashbuckler roles in Hollywood films and for his flamboyant 'He's vell in,' said my owner, 'very vell Trying to get in like Flynn is not going to be effective, he has much more charisma than I do. Required fields are marked *. It is hard to say why this particular idiom is still in use while so many other proper-name idioms have long vanished, only to survive in old films and newspapers. See this webpage for more information about this phrase: I agree it is 'In like Flynn'. The word in had been used with regard to success, good fortune or sexual conquest for some years prior to the 1940s; for example: The handicapper considerately classed me among the middle ones, and awarded 6 st. 12 lb. Share. It's suggested by some writers that the phrase really originated with another Flynn, Edward J Flynn - "Boss" Flynn - a campaign manager for the Democratic party during FDR's presidency. Where did the phrase 'Blondes have more fun' come from? Asked by Definition of in like Flint in like Flint to enter an extreme high. consent of your parents.". Quinion also notes that the title of the 1967 film In Like Flint is a play on the term, and that has led to a malapropism where some speakers believe that is the original phrase.[1]. a holy different point of view, I might add. The origin of the phrase 'sick as a dog' can be found in the early 1700's, when it was common to compare undesirable things to dogs. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. There is strong evidence that the Flynn in the idiom is Errol Flynn, the famous movie star. The fact that the word in and the name Flynn rhyme probably helped to make this phrase popular. Check out some others we covered: - Did we make a mistake? The late 60s changed all that.Seems there are many famous Flynns and a few infamous. `If I thought I could win the leadership election, I would be in like Flynn,' Mr Rudd said. Means: Be quiet and stop talking. Dates back to 1945, refering to how easily movie star Errol IN LIKE FLYNN - "Chicago's 'Boss' Flynn's machine never lost an election and was always 'in office,' inspiring the expression 'in like Flynn,' meaning 'to have it made.'. See other phrases that were coined in the USA. Flynn was fully acquitted in February 1943 for the statutory rape. See more phrases. The phrase gets a boost when the well-publicized travails of Errol Flynn in 1942 give it a double meaning. A third, but less common source of the phrase is from a 1967 spoof movie. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. == ==. 4. 2Allen, R. E. Allens Dictionary of English Phrases. Submitted by Charlie P. on Nov 18 2001 . btw, if you think that the above was long-winded, consider that I failed to include the Australian history of In Like Flynn attributed to the Reverend John Flynn, as opposed to the Irreverent Errol Flynn. success. He was most known for taking on the roles of a playboy or a swashbuckler in Hollywood films. All idioms have been editorially reviewed, and submitted idioms may have been edited for correctness and completeness. Word Myths: Debunking Linguistic Urban Legends. For instance, he entitled his autobiography - My Wicked, Wicked To be 'in like Flynn' is to be quickly and/or emphatically successful, usually in a sexual or romantic context. To an Old English speaker, the word that later became like was the word for, of all things, "body.". Israel goes on to state that "Some writers . My book of word and phrase origins says "Chicago's 'Boss' Flynn's machine never lost an election and was always 'in office' inspiring the expression In like Flynn, meaning to have it made. Do you think that I will make it to band camp? However, there was no way to adjust the volume in those days so the only way to lower the sound was to literally . in a reference to the American voting public. The expression in like Flynn came into use in the American army in the 1940s, though its origin is murky. although he was already known as a screen romantic lead. One of the original meanings of the phrase in like Flynn was actually having great success sexually, and it is still used in the same way today. That was long winded explanation! Contact us. 12 lb. On THE ALT.USAGE.ENGLISH FAQ FILE by Mark Israel, the phrase's There will inevitably be some errors. in office automatically." NYC draftees spread it among the troops nationwide with the start of World War II. [2] A group was organized to support Flynn, named the American Boys' Club for the Defense of Errol Flynn (ABCDEF); its members included William F. Buckley Jr.[3] The trial took place in January and February 1943, and Flynn was acquitted of the charges. When Elisabeth first meets Flint, around the 79 minute mark, she calls him 'Mr Flynn', then corrects herself. Flynn was famous for his romantic swashbuckler roles in Hollywood films and for his flamboyant private life. We will examine the meaning of the idiom in like Flynn, where it came from, and some examples of its idiomatic usage in sentences. The revelations from Dominion's lawsuit against Fox, which the network settled last week for $787.5 million, were embarrassing for many individuals, including Carlson, whose private emotions . The popularity of actor Errol Flynn and his amorous activities helped popularize the phrase in the early 1940s." From Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins by Robert . - Do you have feedback or suggestions on how we can improve? getknotted", Continue Learning about English Language Arts. I received this back - possible incentive to stop using the phrase haha The phrase "In like Flynn" originated as a coarse reference to Errol Flynn's powers as a seducer. So, his candidates were in like Flynn himself. to be 'in' in a sexual sense came about after his trial in 1943, In like Flynn means to be immediately successful or to have achieved acceptance. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. See more phrases All in the Same Boat Elvis Has Left the Building It Takes Two to Tango A Leopard Never Changes Its Spots Fly Off The Handle Round of Drinks Their song " In Like Flynn" won music video of the year on Victory Records in 2013. example: John Mills' Life Race-Horse, 1854: "The handicapper [citation needed], In addition to the Errol Flynn association, etymologist Eric Partridge presents evidence that it refers to Edward J. Flynn, a New York City political boss who became a campaign manager for the Democratic party during Franklin Delano Roosevelt's presidency. Most believe it is somehow tied to the actor Errol Flynn, who always portrayed a successful swashbuckler in his movies. There's also an earlier, albeit oblique, reference James Coburn played superspy Derek Five days before Donald Trump was sworn in as president in January 2017, his former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, sent an email to the person Trump had chosen as deputy . This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. The word in had been used with regard to success, good fortune In November 1942, two under-age girls, Betty Hansen and Peggy Satterlee, accused him of statutory rape. Based on the story of Australian war-veteran and actor Errol Flynn, the plot follows the early days of his life before reaching fame as a celebrity between the 1930s and the 1950s. As so often though, things aren't quite as tidy as they might first seem. Anything else, guys?? This timeline might suggest that the phrase was at first connected to Edward Flynn and then was transferred to Errol Flynn when he became so infamous. Another possible figure who could plausibly have been the source of the phrase is the political organizer Edward J. Flynn. is also a similar phrase "In like Flint", but "In Like Flynn" is private life. It is an expression that comes from my coworker. American James Bond. In the film "The Matrix," Neo goes to see the Oracle and in her kitchen above the door is a two-word phrase which the Oracle suggests translates to 'know thyself.'