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Dates back to 1945, refering to how easily movie star Errol Flynn could get women into bed with him. See related Links for the real answer Hint: Its a combination of the answers listed here. "In Like Flint" was a pun, referring to the real expression "In like Flynn" (which has nothing to do with Errol Flynn--see below). James Coburn played in exactly two Derek Flint spy spoofs; "Our Man Flint" and "In Like Flint" with Lee J. Cobb.
On THE ALT.USAGE.ENGLISH FAQ FILE by Mark Israel, the phrase's first meaning is listed as "in favour, assured of success, in an enviable position." Israel goes on to state that "Some writers allege that it originated in allusion to Edward Joseph "Boss" Flynn (1892-1953), a campaign manager for the U.S. Democratic party during Franklin Delano Roosevelt's presidency. Flynn's machine was so successful at winning elections that his candidates seemed to be in office automatically." (Above text from Google Answers.) There is also a similar phrase "In like Flint", but "In Like Flynn" is the original.
The expression is "in like Flint", and it comes from the movie of the same name: In like Flint. James Coburn played superspy Derek Flint. Flint was an expert at sneaking in and getting a dangerous job done. == ==
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoFrom Australian-born Hollywood actor Errol Flynn, who apparently enjoyed an active sex life. So, in Australia at least, a bloke who picked up a woman easily was said to be "In like Flynn".
Another, less provocative theory is that in 1940 the Mayor of New York, Ed Flynn was such a big shot that he could get you almost anything you wanted if he liked you.
This meant he was very well connected.
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Where does the expression screwed the pooch come from and what does it mean?
The origin of the expression is obscure. It means "ruined everything".
Where did the expression don't go into the light come from?
It came from the movie Poltergiest.
What is the origin of the idiom 'come again'?
Origin: The verb 'to come' has always meant to arrive or appear. In this 20th Century African-American expression, 'come' takes on the meaning of 'speak.'
Origin of expression In like flint?
From the 1967 film of the same name. The eponymous hero, played by James Coburn, is a fearless government agent, a super-spy, an American James Bond. This phrase is commonly said to be a reference to Errol Flynn, the Australian film actor. Flynn was famous for his romantic swashbuckler roles in Hollywood films and for his flamboyant private life. His reputation as a hard-drinking, hell-raising ladies' man was apparently well justified, although it has doubtless been enhanced by his delight in playing up to his image. For instance, he entitled his autobiography - My Wicked, Wicked Ways and also did nothing to dispel the incredible but nonetheless widespread rumours as to the the size of his penis and the number of women who had shared his bed. Flynn was acquitted in February 1943 for the statutory rape of a teenage girl. The word in had been used with regard to success, good fortune or sexual conquest for some years prior to the 1940s. For example: John Mills' Life Race-Horse, 1854: "The handicapper ... considerately classed me among the middle ones, and awarded 6 st. 12 lb. as my burthen. 'He's vell in,' said my owner, 'very vell in.'" Alfred Mason's Clementina, 1901: "His luck for the moment was altogether in." E. Wilson's Twenties, 1923: "Well, did Mr. Wilson get it in tonight?" All of the above might lead us to believe that origin of the phrase 'in like Flynn' is clear. As so often though, things aren't quite as tidy as they might first seem. The earliest recorded use of the phrase is in a December 1946 edition of American Speech: "In like Flynn, everything is O.K. In other words, the pilot is having no more trouble than Errol Flynn has in his cinematic feats." That doesn't have the sexual connotations that the phrase acquired later. There's also an earlier, albeit oblique, reference from 1942 - in The San Francisco Examiner (Sports section): "Answer these questions correctly and your name is Flynn, meaning you're in, provided you have two left feet and the written consent of your parents." Errol Flynn's particular notoriety as someone especially likely to be 'in' in a sexual sense came about after his trial in 1943, although he was already known as a screen romantic lead. If the phrase does derive from his name then it appears to have been coined in regard to his all-round flamboyance and fame - which were both considerable by 1942 - rather than specifically his sexual success. Another possible figure who could plausibly have been the source of the phrase is the political organizer Edward J. Flynn. He was a campaign manager for the Democratic party during the 1930s and 40s and was well-known to be highly effective at arranging political successes. Such machiavellian organizers were known as bosses. Flynn, with some irony, called his autobiography 'You're the Boss', in a reference to the American voting public. Edward J. Flynn had not been associated with the phrase 'in like Flynn' prior to the efforts by etymologists to explain it though and no records from the 1940s make any such link. It seems very much more likely that Errol Flynn is the Flynn in question and, although the phrase may have been used before he was at the peak of his celebrity, it became well-known by association with him. The 1967 James Coburn starred in the film, In Like Flint. This was a sequel to the 1966 Our Man Flint and presumably the screenwriters, on the lookout for another 'Flint' phrase, opted for a play on 'In like Flynn'. There's now some confusion between the two phrases and some use 'In like Flint' as if it were synonymous with 'In like Flynn'. Source: Phrases.org.uk
Where did the phrase long in the tooth come from?
It is a 19th Century expression that comes from the barnyard. As a horse gets older, its gums move back and the teeth appear longer. This expression was eventually passed on to humans!
How did the expression?
In like Flynn
What is the origin of the expression in like flynn?
The phrase "in like Flynn" is believed to have originated from the sexual escapades of actor Errol Flynn, who was known for his success with women. It gained popularity in the 1940s and means to be quickly and easily accepted or successful in a particular situation.
Where did in like flint come from?
Is that quotation correct as is, or was it "in like Flynn" instead of Flint? At the time it seems as though there was a movie with a Flynn as the hero, and that's where that saying originated.
What are the release dates for In Like Flynn - 1985 TV?
In Like Flynn - 1985 TV was released on: USA: 14 August 1985
What are the release dates for In Like Flynn - 1985 - TV?
In Like Flynn - 1985 - TV was released on: USA: 14 August 1985
Where did the name flynn come from?
I'm thinking you will find its origin on the emerald isle... Ireland that is.
How do you get the come to your house expression on Fable 2?
To get the "Come Back to my Place" expression you need to buy the expression book from the Bowerstone Market bookstore "Fiction Burns."
What is candace's last name?
Flynn just like Phineas
DID ERROL Flynn have children?
Here's the list: Sean Flynn by Lili Damita Flynn Deirdre and Rory Flynn (girls) by Nora Eddington Flynn Arnella Flynn by Patrice Wymore Flynn and according to one author, James Flynn, by a Warner Brothers secretary.
Where did the expression as if come from?
From the movie "clueless"
Where did the expression boo come from?
ghosts
How do you use back to my place expression in Fable 2?
To use the "Come Back to my Place" expression, you must target the person of your choosing and open your expression menu. Then go to the "Flirt" section and choose "Come Back to my Place" expression.
