All The Marbles Idiom Origin

These are the collection of sculptures some from the parthenon frieze which were taken from athens by lord elgin in 1806.

All the marbles idiom origin. Marbles as a term for a person s mental faculties probably originated as early 20th century american slang. Share a link to this answer. Very often with a negative or said to convey doubt i don t think he has all his marbles. What does the idiom all the marbles mean.

The underlying reference is apparently to the children s game played with multicoloured glass balls. Marbles also meant testicles and has been used that way since at least the mid 19th century. They ve been found in the ashes of pompeii and in the tombs of ancient egyptians and they were played with by native american. To have all one s mental faculties.

The entire prize or reward. 1998 spectator at least that is how i recall the event but i am losing my marbles. It has been suggested that the losing one s mind meaning derives from the elgin marbles. The underlying reference is apparently to the children s game played with multicoloured glass balls.

To be mentally sound. The pittsburgh steeler hall of famer mean joe greene plays himself. The film is known outside the us as the california dolls because all the marbles is an american idiom which is not understood in most other countries. It was directed by robert aldrich and stars peter falk vicki frederick and laurene landon.

Believe it or not but no one really knows where marbles originated. All possible prizes or rewards. He is currently in first place so his final putt is for all the marbles. The tennis match came down to a single tie breaker for all the marbles.

Have all one s marbles fig. Typically used in the phrase for all the marbles which is said when one is on the verge of victory. Marbles as a term for a person s mental faculties probably originated as early 20th century american slang.