- NEW!
by roadpup2 on August 17th, 2008
Errol Flynn, a movie star who was popular in the late 1930's and throughout the 1940's. In 1942, there was a sensational trial involving two teenage girls he took out on his yacht and they charged him with statutory rape. The trial generated national headlines. The phrase was especially popular during World War II with American GI's. Its use is continued today. Flynn was an Aussie. He had quite a sense of humor.
by Jen-Jen on August 17th, 2008
In like Flynn
Meaning
To be quickly and/or emphatically successful, usually in a sexual or romantic context.
Origin
in like flynnThis 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'.
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/198700.html
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on August 17th, 2008
I think it originally referred to Errol Flynn, the famous and very popular actor of the thirties and forties. He was reputed to be one of the most prolific "actors" with the ladies, both on and off screen. Some have said he would put Warren Beatty to shame.
by Andy Is Wicked Married to Penal Colony on August 17th, 2008
Errol Flynn
See http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/378834
for the origin of the expression.
by Banned from Yahoo on October 23rd, 2009
I did not know so I did a Google search and this is what I was able to find.
.
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/198700.html
.
I copied and pasted here for you to see
.
In like Flynn
.
Meaning
.
To be quickly and/or emphatically successful, usually in a sexual or romantic context.
.
Origin
.
in like flynnThis 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'.
Copyright © Gary Martin, 1996 - 2009
by abby has super sneaky ninja skilz on August 18th, 2008
i'm so glad you asked this question!!!
i always wondered until now.....isn't it
great to have ab!!! lol
by FreshApples on August 17th, 2008
Flynn is the 3rd sting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers
G-FORCE. go pack!
Have a BLAST!
by Tom on October 24th, 2009
Here's a few more you can spread around in Georgia:
"The early dog catches the worm."
"Dream on little dreamsicle."
"You don't always get what you had."
"Up your nose with a rubber chicken."
"Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and despised."
"Make hay while the bum shines."
"A penny saved is a peny burned."
"If you don't like it, lumpy gravy."
"No skin off my ear."
"If it's worth doing, it's worth doing left."
"Kiss my tuba."
"Blow it out yout kazoo"
by Tom on October 23rd, 2009
I've only heard it as "in like Flint."
by Kat on October 23rd, 2009
Yes, he certainly was the lover-boy of his time
""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...
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/198700.html
by jackpipe30 on October 23rd, 2009
I've always heard it as "In like Flint". Mine is quite possibly derived from yours and a variation caused by the movie "In like Flint". The meaning in my context is that you are accepted into a group or into a woman's life (sometimes in a sexual context).
by Seanzie is smiling again on October 23rd, 2009
Flynn was a big slut at my highschool.
makes sense...
by Marguerite on October 23rd, 2009
I think this is a misquote when it is supposed to be "in like Flint", which is from a movie with James Colburn. It means to be in a flavorable position. In like Flynn just doesn't make sense.
by bagicide stayed 10 months too long on October 23rd, 2009
Errol Flynn, the swashbuckling movie actor.
by Kewl Guy - has gone 360 on October 23rd, 2009
Earl Flynn
by ShoulderPadQueen on March 19th, 2009
dont know but he's in for sure! LOL! what is he in though? ;D
by Anonymous on August 17th, 2008
I found a link for you but I see a lot of people have already answered it. But what the hell here you go.http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/198700.html
by Sharona Life is a Tale Told by an Idiot on November 11th, 2009
Okay, I'll bite. What does this mean? I mean I get the Flynn answer everyone gave, but what has this to do with Elves and the reference from the other question?
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Comments
Thank you, roadpup. So then, how did the "in like flynn" come about?
by Phillis - Zacks little sister on August 17th, 2008
It has a sexual context.
by roadpup2 on August 17th, 2008
Eww! Okay, got it. No need for further discussion. Was he convicted on the charges brought against him?
by Phillis - Zacks little sister on August 17th, 2008
Phillis, Ihe was acquitted. People liked him for being a "bad boy". I am trying to post a longer comment, but it is stuck on "posting comment".
by roadpup2 on August 17th, 2008
I absolutely HATE it when that happens!! I know people really liked his bad boy thing. It is legendary!
by Phillis - Zacks little sister on August 17th, 2008
Somehow, Errol had the capacity to make people like him. He was also acquitted for murder once.
by roadpup2 on August 17th, 2008
What?! Geez....I wish I could make people like me like that! Presidents don't even get that kind of approval!!
by Phillis - Zacks little sister on August 17th, 2008
They don't make 'em like Errol anymore.
by roadpup2 on August 17th, 2008
Well, I can't help but be a little wistful about that, but for the life of me I can't imagine why! I wasn't even born then!
by Phillis - Zacks little sister on August 17th, 2008
Jack Warner (Warner Bros.) hated Flynn because his starlets were involved with him, but Warner couldn't get rid of him because he made the studio a lot of money. Flynn's autobiography is "My Wicked, Wicked Ways". Flynn died of a heart attack on his boat in the company of a teenage girl (about 17) named Beverley Aadland. I still remember the headlines from 1959 or 1960, I think.
by roadpup2 on August 17th, 2008
Hollywood came after Flynn, not the reverse. They hired him and his boat--he was hauling freight in the South Pacific for the making of "Mutiny on the Bounty" in 1935. They were so impressed with his grace and beauty, they brought him back to Hollywood. Some say that Fylnn was involved in slave trading in the early 1930's. He was tried for murder because he supposed killed someone in a fight. His father was a well-respected professor at a Tasmanian University. His career declined in the 1950's from too much boozing and womanizing.
by roadpup2 on August 17th, 2008
John Barrymore and I think Humphrey Bogart or Cary Grant were his drinking buddies. I can't remember if it was Bogart or Cary Grant. When Barrymore died from alcoholism, Flynn stole his body from the funeral home and propped up the corpse in Bogart/Grant's living room chair. When Bogart/Grant came home later, he was obviously shocked. The authorities weren't amused, but Fylnn got out of it again. One of his films was "They Died With Their Boots On". That became another sexual joke after Flynn died in the company of his teenage girl friend.
by roadpup2 on August 17th, 2008
Flynn got away with a lot of stuff because women absolutely adored him. The only thing that bothered them is that they weren't on the boat with him. Current Hollywood stars are wannabes compared to Errol.
by roadpup2 on August 17th, 2008
I can't imagine having that much power over people. Somefolks are just charasmatic as hell.You've got enough for a biography here! All you need is to flesh it out :)
by Phillis - Zacks little sister on August 17th, 2008
Thank you.
by roadpup2 on August 18th, 2008