What is the origin of the phrase "pushing the envelope"? I know what it means when it is used in context.
375396
As I recall, when Chuck Yeager and his friends were testing experimental aircraft out of Edwards AFB, they were told that all aircraft must perform within a specified envelope of performance.  When they replied that advancements were enabling them to break out of the envelope, they were warned against dangerous activity.\nSecretly, the pilots began to chuckle quietly about merely 'pushing up against the envelope'.
793676
Sorry you've had such rubbish answers. \n\nI'm usually quite good at this sort of thing, but I'm afraid I can't find any info on the origins of this phrase.\n\nI hope someone more knowledgeable answers you soon!
338688
I'm not certain of the context, but, taken literally, the logic follows... \n\n...as the child develops into the man, the child, or boy, in a sense, gives "birth" or gives way to the man, and thus is the origin or "father" or the man.
296009
The first person is quite correct about the translation. Moreover, the person who designed the seal says that the phrase "signifies the beginning of the new American era." It is derived from a phrase in Virgil's Eclogues where he is talking about the new order of peace created by Augustus.
169995
phrase is used to setting up a bet to prove what your saying.
1170816
This originated in the early 1980s. It is generally regarded as an American expression. This item from the New York newspaper the Syracuse Herald-American, Feb. 1982, which is the earliest version in print that I can find, puts that in some doubt. It's in a piece by Jerry Buck, writing out of Los Angeles, about actress Lauren Tewes
769179
Its a big 10 letter word to me.  It means making a statement, that is well thought out, that is really a promise when it is told.   You say something, then follow through, then your integrity shows for what it is.
339187
I have no clue but as long as we are on the pushing subject, where did pushing up the daisies come from??? hmmm
928790
In what context?\n\nHow have you heard this phrase used - on the face of it, it doesn't make sense
290822
It's a slang contraction.
909327
"garantujeme původ" means "we guarantee origin" ... probably would loosely translate to "we know when it came from"
939272
In what context?\n\nThe better the question, the better the answer you're likely to elicit. Please elaborate.
736976
It means to elaborate.\n\nTo add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing.
747724
Its origin is Latin, cum grano salis, based on antidote to poison needing a grain of salt to work \n\nTo “take something with a grain of salt” is to view a statement with a skeptical attitude
878520
It is from the French, "Respondez s'il vous plait."\nPlease respond.
1136480
It is used now in many places. In songs and everywhere. I think that this line came from a "tall dark handsome stranger".\n"tall dark handsome stranger" came from language\nlanguage came from man\nman came from God\nSo ultimately God made this line = "tall dark handsome stranger".
301635
I do. What was the phrase?