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by eitsym on June 14th, 2006

eitsym

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What is the origin of the phrase "off the top of my head"?

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  • by Hiro Fan on May 22nd, 2007

    Hiro Fan

    Umm...this is probably one of those phrases that just developed over time without a real "story" behind it. Probably evolved when man started studying the brain and came to realize how the actual thinking process works. "Off the top of my head" means you haven't really thought about it, have not gotten "into" your brain, so whatever you're responding to is not from inside your brain but off the top of it!
    I think...off the top of my head!

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