“It’s like herding cats” feels like it should be ancient, but lexicographer Jeremy Butterfield says the OED’s first record of it is from 1986. It’s a US coinage, and it caught on fast because it’s so useful.
Jeremy’s new book is “The Metaphor Zoo.”
WATCH: https://youtu.be/DkjTvNZlzLg
READ: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/transcripts/grammar-girl/1237/
LISTEN: https://pod.link/173429229
The Forgotten 1920s Animal Idioms (Snake’s Toenails, Alligator’s Adenoids & More)
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@grammargirl 1986?!?!?!? Wow.