Origin: Phrases Derived from Various Sources, Part 1

These phrases are correctly defined as terms. They have a precise meaning that
is well understood in a specific science, art, profession, or subject.
When used outside of that peculiar context these phrases become obscure and
seem not to make sense. However, when the special interest context is revealed
the phrase makes sense, at least to those knowledgeable about the subject.
Some examples of phrases taken from different subject areas such as sports,
religion or aviation are given below. Each phrase is followed by its meaning,
example of use, and, most interestingly, its origin or background.

1. Aircraft and aviation

These phrases are clear to many knowledgeable about aircraft and aviation.

Phrase: Balls to the wall
Meaning: (To push to the limit, go all out, full speed.)

Origin:
A very colourful phrase, one needs to be careful when using "balls to
the wall". Although its real origin is very benign, most people assume it is a
reference to testicles.

In fact, it is from fighter planes. The "balls" are knobs atop the plane's throttle control.
Pushing the throttle all the way forward, to the wall of the cockpit, is to apply full throttle.


Flying by the seat of their pants.
Meaning:  To do something without planning, to change course midstream, to
figure things out as you go.

Origin:
Before airplanes had sophisticated instruments and right control
systems, and even today, planes are piloted by feel. Pilots can feel the reactions
of the plane in response to their actions at the controls. Being the largest point
of contact between pilot and plane, most of the feel or feedback comes through
the seat of the pants.
If you are "flying by the seat of your pants" you are responding to the feedback
received.


Phrase: Pushing the envelope
Meaning: To approach or exceed known performance boundaries.

Origin:
This expression comes out of the US Air Force test pilot program of
the late 1940's. The envelope refers to a plane's performance capabilities. The
limits of the planes ability to fly at speeds and altitudes and under certain
stresses define what is known as its performance envelope. It's an "envelope"
in the sense that it contains the ranges of the plane's abilities.
"Pushing the envelope" originally meant flying an aircraft at, or even beyond,
its known or recommended limits. A safe bet is that many who pushed the
envelope crashed. The expression was popularized by Tom Wolfe in his book
"The right stuff" (1979) and later the movie of the same name.

Phrase: Wing and a prayer
Meaning: Hopeful but unlikely to succeed..

Origin:
During World War One airplanes were still novelty and untested in war. A wing and a prayer was first uttered when an American flyer came in with a badly damaged wing.

His fellow pilots and mechanics were amazed he didn't crash. He replied he
was praying all the way in. Another pilot chimed in that "a wing and a prayer
brought you back."

➤ Read more idioms and phrases, English grammar and vocabulary at Basic English Grammar And Vocabulary .