how did the phrase "pushing the envelope" start, and what does it refer to?
339187
I have no clue but as long as we are on the pushing subject, where did pushing up the daisies come from??? hmmm
427437
Most 'envelope-stuffing' and other 'work at home' opportunties are scams/schemes designed to make money for the operators - not you.\n\nAlthough you are in Australia, this information from the US Federal Trade Commission might be useful: The “Take This Scheme and Stuff It: Avoiding Envelope-Stuffing Rip-Offs.” <http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/stuffitalrt.htm>\n\n\nadditional information:\n"Work at home Schemes" http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/invest/homewrk.htm \n'Net Based Business Opportunities: Are Some Flop-portunities?\nhttp://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/online/netbizop.htm\n"The Bottom Line on Multilevel Marketing Plans" http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/pyrdalrt.htm
280013
Think it was called "Getting by"\n\nCould be wrong tho.  Check the link provided.
809015
It sounds like "Push Comes to Shove" -- a cartoon animated by Bill Plympton in 1991.  They used to run this as a part of MTV's "Liquid Television" program in the mid 90's.  Click on the link below to see it.
1125554
During the mid to late 1800s, "knocked up" referred to injuring or impairing somebody.  It's assumed that it morphed into a pregnancy reference due to the limitations that come with carrying a baby in the womb.\n\nPossibly it is also related to knock in the sense of "to copulate with" (1598; cf. slang knocking-shop "brothel," 1860), according to the ONline Etymology Dictionary.
483960
It is one of those sayings whose exact origins is unknown, it obviously refers to things kept secret or hidden. In the past it may actually have had something to do with someone who had died under mysterious circumstances. It was brought into literary use by Thackeray in 1845.
94275
ilker_murat is right, but this word has a historical background too. This term derives from 494 BC, when the first tribunes in ancient Rome were elected to protect and represent the 'plebs' (less well-born people with relatively low income - they were rather disdained by the 'patricians' = Rome's aristocracy) in the political life. They were enabled to prevent decisions that weren't advantegous for this social group by vetoing (that is to officially refuse to approve a statute).
236327
I believe it comes from the word sumbissive. or submission.  heres a definition.\nMain Entry: 1mis·sion·ary \nPronunciation: 'mi-sh&-"ner-E\nFunction: adjective\n1 : relating to, engaged in, or devoted to missions\n2 : characteristic of a missionary
13411
the link below leads to a local magazine (Twin Cities, Minnesota metro area). Because the Post-it note was invented by Art Fry, an engineer at 3M Co. and the product is now 25 years young, they did a feature article on this subject in April 2005. It is real good reading, I found the article a very entertaining read
496401
Stuffing envelopes is a scam 99.9% of the time. Read Dave Ramsey books.
317316
I dunno if u know this story but it is good...\nOnce an American wrote in a newspaper: IF YOU WANT TO BE A MILLIONAIR JUST SEND ME A DOLLAR IN AN ENVELOP TO THIS P.O BOX.\nand you know what was the reply?\nDO WHAT I DID!\nbecause he became rich.
93058
My family developed that one...\nSeriously, it doesn't matter what the origin is...\nIt's whether you push the envelope or not...\nDo you take risks to succeed or do you play it safe and stay mediocre...
1109127
means send mail to people.
839061
In the 1800"s the word became popular from the clan, "Chieftains", who ran protection rackets on farmers in Scottland.  Should a  Farmer  not pay their mail, old term used for rent,  Chieftain would steal their cattle and crops.  Since this was considered evil, it was considered,\n "Blackmail."
834785
i really have no idea where it came from. for some reasons monkeys come to mind. i think they were carriers and some human got it and then it just kindof spread from there. it took a while to become mainstream.
694415
Precursors to public relations are found in publicists who specialized in promoting circuses, theatrical performances, and other public spectacles. In the United States, where public relations has its origins, many early PR practices were developed in support of the expansive power of the railroads. In fact, many scholars believe that the first appearance of the term "public relations" appeared in the 1897 Year Book of Railway Literature.\n\nLater, PR practitioners were—and are still often—recruited from the ranks of journalism. Some journalists, concerned with ethics, criticize former colleagues for using their inside understanding of news media to help clients receive favorable media coverage.\n\nDespite many journalists' discomfort with the field of public relations, well-paid PR positions remain a popular choice for reporters and editors forced into a career change by the instability of the print and electronic media industry. PR historians say the first PR firm, the Publicity Bureau, was established in 1900 by former newspapermen, with Harvard University as its first client.
1004137
We would say "pinch, poke..you owe me a coke"\nI imagine it originated in some play ground somewhere....obviously after coke originated