Mitch Cronin Posted August 18, 2003 Share Posted August 18, 2003 I know it's used as a term for retiring, but I'm wondering how it got to be so? Anyone know?? I'm guessing it's a reference to pulling a pin on a grenade? But maybe it's a reference to pulling some other kind of pin?... such that something drops... or?? Anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bugsy G Darren Posted August 18, 2003 Share Posted August 18, 2003 I once read that the term "Pulling the Pin" reffered to pulling the pin on a parachute, the article reasoned that one travels through life so quickly and then retirement comes and it slows to a standstill. I think thats how the article read Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch Cronin Posted August 18, 2003 Author Share Posted August 18, 2003 Thanks Bugsy. That makes perfect sense! Cheers, Mitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest M. McRae Posted August 18, 2003 Share Posted August 18, 2003 Here is another explanation re the origin of the term. I bet there are others ...... Seems that it might have originated on the railroad thus predating the "Mills" bomb (grenade) and of course the parachute (at least the one that was not tether operated). On the end of an engine and on the ends of all cars, both passenger and freight, are the couplers, used to link them to each other. When this takes place, a pin automatically falls in between the couplers to prevent them from pulling apart. When cars have to be uncoupled, a lever type handle is pulled, forcing the pin out, thus the phrase, "Pulling the pin." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch Cronin Posted August 19, 2003 Author Share Posted August 19, 2003 Interesting Malcolm... I have a book called "Brewers Dictionary of Phrase & Fable" that answers many of those sorts of questions, but there was nothing about that one in it... Mine is an older edition (1981), maybe in later editions?? Cheers, Mitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest leftbase Posted August 19, 2003 Share Posted August 19, 2003 Cool! The grenade and parachute ideas had ocurred to me - the train coupler, had not...makes sense! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Wilky Posted August 19, 2003 Share Posted August 19, 2003 I always thought it referred to the pin in an ejection seat... if it's in you can't get out. "Time to pull the pin" made sense to me, but so do the other explanations. Drew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harvey Bergen Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 My dad used to use the term 'pulling the pin' and he worked for the CNR up until 1065 so this term predated then - a vote for the railway source. Harvey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harvey Bergen Posted August 21, 2003 Share Posted August 21, 2003 aaaahhhhhhhhhh......that's 1965. I'm old, but not that old. H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AME Posted August 21, 2003 Share Posted August 21, 2003 Mitch Another version goes back to the days of horse drawn wagons, at the end of the day the pin was pulled from the double trees thus disconnecting the horses from the pole, So when one "Pulled the pin" work was done. Brett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch Cronin Posted August 22, 2003 Author Share Posted August 22, 2003 Thanks for that one too Brett. There would seem to be an impressive number of ways that phrase can seem appropriate for retirement. Looking forward to pulling my own pin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrench Posted August 23, 2003 Share Posted August 23, 2003 Mitch, you are correct. The term "Pulling the Pin" is an old railroad term meaning to "disconnect" or uncouple fron the rest of the train. Term first used in the U.K. in the 20's. Seems popular today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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