Where does the phrase “The man, the myth, the legend” come from?
The phrase “the man, the myth, the legend” was coined by legendary race car driver Mario Andretti. And he said this when referring to his rival, Ayrton Senna.
It was used as a synonym for a highly regarded person and often thought of as larger than life. It was also used to describe Charles Lindberg and John Glenn. It is important to note that the phrase may have been used before its use by Andretti.
However, it is widely believed to have become a part of pop culture because of the racing legend. It is also worth noting that Andretti refers to Senna as “mythical.” This is a fitting description because Senna was well known for his aggressive driving style. His moves were not seen as graceful but as aggressive and precise.
Once again, stories could be more sketchy at best in solidly attributing the etymology of this phrase to any single source.
Most sites that I turned to attribute the phrase, “The man, the myth, the legend,” as used to introduce P.T. Barnum during his The Greatest Show on Earth tours in the 1870s-1880s.
Although there is no written evidence of this, only hearsay and a few unaccounted-for “diary entries,” Barnum began to be introduced in this manner by his anonymous emcees near 1880.
The good news for you is that since no one knows, you have the makings of a good book or short story centered on P.T. Barnum.
Annika Peacock has asked Where the phrase “The man, the myth, the legend” comes from.
From what I have been reading, this is one of those oddball, onerous phrases that no one can agree on or take responsibility for its creation. Paul Cruadrado answered that it can be attributed to P.T. Barnum. I just read that Harry Houdini was introduced this way a few times. Our very own Uncle Sam, the icon that used to adorn Recruiting Posters was referred to in those terms.
Then you have those who are more near and dear.
or perhaps,
or possibly
Or Bigfoot. I like Bigfoot, along with Nessie.
Then there is Keanu Reeves as John Wick. Baba Yaga is legendary as he sets things right for the theft of his favored car and dog. Don’t mess with someone’s Dog.
My mind is a fertile field, freshly manured daily, but my dyslexic fingers could not delve deeply enough to find the birth of this phrase.
There was a Reddit discussion on this a while back and the earliest reference that could be found was as part of the title for a movie about Babe Ruth in 1989, although there were previous instances where you could see the phrase developing.
It is probably from a movie trailer in the 1960s or 70s. It was meant to be taken at face value the first time it was used. I bet it only picked up the sarcastic twist because of overuse.
I can’t find any documentation that P.T. Barnum ever used this phrase.
It was in use as early as 1981.
The documentary Bruce Lee: The Man The Myth appeared in 1976 without including “legend.”
The word “legend “was added between 1976 and 1981 to make the phrase more pleasingly rhythmical.
What is the origin of the phrase “till the end of time”?
That exact phrase as you have asked it, is the title of a song. It is found in a few other places. This was the original; many other artists have done it since. It’s also on YouTube.
Till the End of Time“
[1]
is a popular song written by lyricist Buddy Kaye and composer Ted Mossman and published in 1945. The melody is based on Frédéric Chopin’s Polonaise in A flat major, Op. 53, the “Polonaise héroique”.
Here are the lyrics.
[2]
Till the end of time, as long as stars are in the blue
As long as there’s a Spring of birds to sing, I’ll go on loving you
Till the end of time, as long as roses bloom in May
My love for you will grow deeper with every passing day
Till the wells run dry and each mountain disappears
I’ll be there for you to care for you through laughter and tears
So take my heart in sweet surrender and tenderly say that I’m
The one you love and live for till the end of time
Till the wells run dry and each mountain disappears
I’ll be there for you to care for you through laughter and tears
So take my heart in sweet surrender and tenderly say that I’m
The one you love and live for till the end of time.
There is a book with that title and phrase.
What does “When the legend becomes the fact print the legend” mean?
This quote is from the Western film The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962), directed by John Ford, starring John Wayne and James Stewart. The Jimmy Stewart character takes credit for shooting Liberty Valance (a bad man), but it’s revealed that the John Wayne character shot him.
The Wikipedia plot summary states:
“The reporter realizes that Stoddard’s entire reputation is based on a myth, but after reflection throws his interview notes into the fire. ‘This is the West, sir,’ he explains. ‘When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.’”
It means that the stories of the Wild West are best considered as stories and do not need to be factually examined.
What are the origins of the phrase “being in one’s element”?
In the Elizabethan era, the expression came into being when science categorized the entire world into one of four elements … fire, air, water, and earth.
If one operates within their field of existence, ability, expertise, and knowledge, they are considered “in one’s element.”
Phrase Origins: Why is it called “a man’s world?”
Originally Answered: Why is it called “a man’s world?”
Because men have advantages, rightly or wrongly, in most areas of endeavor, the term itself is not sexist; it is an accurate term describing a sexist state of affairs.
What are the origins of the phrase “being in one’s element”?
My favorite things (my element): I always looked at my element as ‘my Happy place!’
What does “When the legend becomes the fact print the legend” mean?
In the context of the film, it’s a broader statement that the legend of the American West is stronger than its actual factual history. American identity is founded on the myth of the American West; it’s a source of identity that for many defines what it means to be an American. The film re-assesses this myth and explores the concept of ‘fake news’ before ‘fake news’ existed.
What is the origin of the phrase ‘straight as an arrow,’ and what does it mean?
Have you ever seen an arrow? Do you know what a bow is and how to shoot an arrow? Do you know what happens with an arrow that is not straight?
Think about all that, then do a little analogy: what does it mean to be like an arrow? Got it?
Is there a known origin of the phrase “Ye gods and little fishes”? What’s the story behind it?
Originally, it was likely an expletive, an elaboration on “Ye gods,” which was a 17th-century variant of ‘Oh my god!’, which would have been a very blasphemous thing to say.
The first documented use of the phrase was in 1830, in the National Magazine and Dublin Literary Gazette, The Antiquity of Joint Stock Companies Vindicated.
“But of all combinations of those ‘by-gone ages,’
ye gods and little fishes!
what a glorious pick-pocket company might be established between …”
What is the origin of the phrase “once bitten, twice shy”? Where and when was this first said? Do we still use it today?
The phrase “once bitten, twice shy” means that someone who has had a bad experience will likely avoid similar situations. The phrase’s origiPhrasenclearneeds needs to be clarified, but it is believed to be a proverbial expression used for centuries.
The first recorded use of the phrase Phraselish literature is in a poem by William Congreve, titled “The Mourning Bride,” published in 1697. The exact line is “He who is once bitten by a Serpent, is afraid of a Rope,” which has the same meaning as the modern phrase. Phrasexpression is still widely used today, often to describe someone cautious after experiencing a negative outcome in the past. It is also used in various contexts, such as in business or personal relationships, to describe someone who has been deceived or hurt and is now hesitant to trust again.
What is the etymology of the phrase “fire and brimstone”?
‘Brimstone’ (meaning sulfur, especially burning sulfur) is formed from ‘burn’ and ‘stone.’ There are analogous words in Old Norse (brenni-steinn) and other Germanic languages. The odd spelling partly reflects the variation in Old and Middle English between the ‘burn/burn and ‘bren/brin’ forms of the word we now spell ‘burn.’ Middle English ‘breme’ (‘fierce’) may influence the shift from’ brin’ to’ brim.’
The earliest recorded use of ‘brimstone’ on its own in English is in the Old English Vespasian Homilies, in a 12th-century manuscript: ‘Heo sculen drigen brynstanes stænc on helle’ (‘they shall suffer the stench of brimstone in hell’).
‘Fire and brimstone’ turns up in all its earliest uses about the destruction of the city of Sodom in Genesis. The earliest recorded use is in the manuscript of the Ayenbite of Inwit, a confessional work written at Canterbury in 1340: ‘Þis zone is zuo onworþ to gode þet he dede rine user Bernie and Brenton stinking ope þe cite of some (‘this sin is so unworthy to God that he rained burning fire and stinking brimstone upon the city of Sodom’); and in the decades after that it picks up momentum – e.g., in the Midland Prose Psalter of c1350, ‘It shall Rayne up þe syn3ers dropped of fur and brimstone.
And the rest is history.
What are the origins of the phrase “being in one’s element”?
If you are ‘in your element,’ you are in a situation where you feel comfortable doing something you enjoy or are good at (probably both). For being adventurous and fit, being in the army suited him: he was in his element.
‘Element’ is used metaphorically. If you were a fish, your natural element would be water. For a bird, it would be the air.
Some claim that the expression dates back to Elizabethan times and the idea of the four elements: earth, fire, air, and water. (These derive from alchemy.) Examples of any use of ‘in one’s element’ going that far back are still being determined.
Where does the phrase “it takes one to know one” come from?
The phrase “it takes one to know one” originated sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century, but it’s unclear where it was used first. This is common for phrases like this.
But, likely, this evolved naturally over time, being used more and more often in conversations until it became somewhat common that many people considered it cliche.
This Phrase may have been common parlance over time as it has become used to express similarity or analogy between two situations, things, or persons.
Where and when did the expression “not by a long shot” originate?
‘Not by a long shot’ is used informally in American English. It is related to the firing of the gun. It is observed that most of the long shots usually fail owing to aimlessness. This mode of expression is used in the sense not at all, absolutely not. ‘For example, Ram cannot compete in the IAS examination not by a long shot if he doesn’t read India Today of Rajanipam Datta.
Where does the phrase “to prove one’s mettle” come from?
It was first used in the 17th century. Mettle, as you probably know, means the inner strength, character, and “soul” of the people.
Mettle was originally, during the Middle Ages, just another way to spell the word metal, but the words got separated in time, and “mettle” was used with this modern meaning before it was used in this expression.
So “proving one’s mettle” is a very clear and straightforward saying – to prove one’s inner strength.
What is ‘demystifying the myths’?
Many wonderful images have been etched in the collective memory.
However, they are images, and reality often looks different.
I experienced it when I often lived in Giza (near Cairo) and always had the pyramids near me.
They are indeed imposing, but they look completely different in the pictures.
When you then see the Sphinx looking at KFC and see the smog that lies over the whole scene, you are disillusioned.
Often, it is enough to take a different perspective, and the myth has already lost its magic.
Or something that radiates a certain beauty suddenly becomes ugly and threatening.
This last image brings to mind the story of the Tower of Babel and the situation we are all in right now.
We may have reached the limit, and everything has to start again.
What is your favorite myth, and why?
The Myth of Sisyphus
The one-sentence summary of the myth is: A mortal king kept cheating Death, so Zeus decided to give him a punishment so severe that he’d wish for Death to eternally roll a boulder to the top of a mountain, only to have it roll back down, and the whole process starts over.
It’s a teacher favorite because it’s a good metaphor for our job. Year after year, we lift a group of students to the next level, only to return to the beginning and lift another group.
What’s your favorite myth?
It started with a mother’s words, a mother’s boast.
“Andromeda,” she said, not even bothering to whisper, “is far prettier than the Nereids themselves.”
And the funny thing was, no matter how stupid the statement, it was not a lie.
Born to an indifferent king and a selfish queen, Andromeda was beautiful. She was lithe, stunning, and utterly unaware of the fact. Despite this, she was caught as a second choice, an only child, but still least loved.
Nonetheless, her mother’s unaddressed claim could not go unnoticed, so the Nereids pleaded with Poseidon to punish her.
Taking pity, or perhaps revenge, he sent a terrible monster to the coast of their kingdom.
Days passed, and the creature tore away at the shore, crumbling rocks into sand and easily collapsing people.
Where does the phrase “The man, the myth, the legend” come from?
Desperate, the king pleaded with an Oracle for any solution.
He walked away wishing he hadn’t.
“Sacrifice your daughter to appease the monster,” the Oracle had said.
It’s a strange thing how the blameless always seem to be the ones atoning.
The king, her father, chained Andromeda to a rock, leaving her to die on the wave-lashed cliffs.
Andromeda choked on sea foam; she could no longer distinguish between the ocean and her tears.
For the first time, she was glad to feel empty.
With the kind of perfect timing reserved for myths, Perseus came and saw her. Sword in hand, he slashed the monster and watched as its blood stained the sea before washing away.
Of course, she was saved.
They always are.
She was still wet when he pulled her from the water.
She was still a tragedy when he brushed her salt-tangled hair out and promised more.
And she would be happy, even if he loved her first for her looks; Perseus was enchanted by the girl who had managed to stay afloat and hopeful for so long.
He never realized she was drowning long before he saved her.
That was the closest thing to a happily after either of them could have.
What does “When the legend becomes the fact print the legend” mean?
It means that when the story of what happened is a better tale than what happened, publish it.
Of course, there will always be people like me who would prefer the unvarnished truth. The true story of Jesus’ or Mohammed’s life would still be interesting.
Is there a difference between a legend and a myth?
Fun question.
A myth is a story based on a concept, an idea, or an answer. It’s an effort to explain something, but when the hard research is done, it’s clear there is no historical basis for the story.
A legend, however, is a story based on historical events. A legend is commonly embellished or murky, owing to distance in time or lack of documentation created especially near the actual event.
An observation. Whether one regards a story as myth, legend, or history commonly depends on influences outside of a rigorous examination of historical evidence. The biggest influences? Relationships.
What is the difference between a legend and a myth?
Branislaw Malinowski, in his studies of Trobriand Islander mythology and legends, made the classic distinction:
- Myths are culturally significant narratives that focus primarily on the activities of gods or supernatural beings who may or may not interact secondarily with less important human characters.
- Legends are culturally significant narratives that focus primarily on the activities of humans and heroes who may or may not interact secondarily with deities or supernatural beings.
How does a myth differ from a legend?
Myth is a traditional, typically ancient story dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes that serves as a fundamental type in the worldview of a people by explaining aspects of the natural world or delineating the psychology, customs, or ideals of society.
Legend is an unverified story handed down from earlier times, especially one popularly believed to be historical.
All cultures have stories passed down from generation to generation; some are legends, while others are myths. These stories contain superhuman-like characters that defy all logic and rules of nature. These stories may also have supernatural elements that make up the story. Since both stories can include death-defying stunts and heroes, it can create confusion in defining the differences between legends and myths.
Where does the phrase “The man, the myth, the legend” come from?
Legend, derived from the Latin word ‘legend’ meaning “things to be read,” is a narrative of actions performed by humans sometime in history; it is a historical account of events and people from ancient times. These accounts may have little evidence supporting the person or place, but they cannot be effectively verified. These tales include people or events in the past that have been exaggerated to the point where they now include supernatural or extraordinary elements.
Myths, derived from the Greek word ‘mythos’ meaning “thought, story, or speech,” are stories or tales rooted in religion or folk beliefs of that time. The stories were a way to represent or explain how the world came to be in its natural state and the natural phenomena that occur in the world. They are usually supernatural. Myth is” a usually traditional story of ostensibly historical events that serves to unfold part of the world view of a people or explain a practice, belief, or natural phenomenon; a person or thing having only an imaginary or unverifiable existence.”
Where does the phrase “The man, the myth, the legend” come from?
Myths usually involve gods, heroes, and humans in various settings accomplishing supernatural feats. These myths could be elaborated accounts of historical events, an account of natural phenomena, a way to justify a ritual or teach behavior or morals. Myths are attempts to explain creation, divinity, and religion, probe the meaning of existence and death, account for natural phenomena, and chronicle the adventures of heroes. Examples of myths include Greek Mythology, Thor, Roman Mythology, etc.
Myth is a Truth hidden within a belief and a story. “Magic” does not need to be involved, but it often is. Legend is based on a historical piece and is often embellished along the way.
Now, Tall Tales is fabricated to the extreme, which makes for a great tale to be told aloud. 😉
Myths are often confused with “Untruths,” which they are not. One of the reasons many people think this way is that there are often several sub-myths pertaining to one Myth (e.g. The story of the Trojan War). And yet, we found the city of Troy because of these myths.
A myth explains the beginnings of the world or a culture. The technical term for the base story forms a religion because a myth is intended to explain “how things came to be,” like human beings, animals, earth, fire, oceans, mountains, celestial bodies, and whatever brings such things into existence. These explanatory narratives are sometimes called “creation myths” or “creation stories.”
Where does the phrase “The man, the myth, the legend” come from?
While common parlance treats the word “myth” as interchangeable with “non-truth,” myth is an explanatory story of how any group of people, past or present, may believe the world as they know it came into being.
While a myth can take place on a grand scale, back at the beginning of time, a legend is a different kind of explanatory story, one taking place on a human scale closer to the times of its audience. Many tellers purport a legend to be a “true story,” sometimes, a legend may have germinated from an actual event that has become shrouded in time. Being told repeatedly, the legend’s details become more varied and may expand in fantastical scope. A legend usually represents something important to the culture that repeats it, such as a heroic undertaking that helped shape that culture, something that strikes awe in listeners, or a warning that reflects that culture’s values. The latter example appears in the genre of Urban Legend, which forms the basis for many contemporary horror stories.
Both myth and legend have relationships to what people believe to be true but are separated by time and scale: myth being connected to worldview and the beginning of time, and legend being connected to cultural cohesiveness and the beginnings of significant eras close to or contemporary with the audience’s time.
Both myth and legend exist under the umbrella of Folklore. The formal study of myth and legend, along with other traditional forms, is called Folkloristics.
What is the female equivalent of “The man, the myth and the legend”?
Most female rulers fall under this category. Perhaps Cleopatra? The empress of Russia? *(Catherine the great). Many powerful women have stories about them that are incredible.
Some could be more powerful.
Harriet Tubman? Practically a myth unto herself.
Once you reach the point where they aren’t sure if you did it because your actions were that freaking impressive…, you’ve reached this category.
“The man, the myth, and the legend” is not a proverb. It sounds like marketing copy or something from a “fluff” article about someone in sports.
That isn’t an equivalent. Men have different egos and ideas of what being a man is all about.
Women are allowed, up to a point, to be more emotional and irrational, and it is a somewhat expected behavior. I think telling her to “grow up” might be”slightly” similar. It’s not too people question a woman’s sense of a woman’s as they do with a man’s masculinity. Man’s doesn’t work, the doesn’t are wired differently, and societal norms are different.
What’s the female What’slent of “be a man”?
I would” say “Gi”l Power.” The “implication” is to stop being a helpless damsel and do what must be done. This was true during World War 2 when women had to take over several jobs that the men couldn’t do while deployed to the battlefront.
Where does the phrase “The man, the myth, the legend” come from?
What is the hardest/easiest college math basic?
Do I have to text continuously after 2nd date to show my interest?