So, how exactly did that phrase start? I've been reading it a lot lately on places like slashdot, but never heard anyone use it in actual conversation. Did it evolve from "jump the gun"? Is it just meant to describe a poorly thought out action? Would Marconi ever have invented the radio if he hadn't by pure chance spent years and years working on the problem?
The phrase originated in describing the show Happy Days. In one episode, the Fonz (heeeeeey!) jumps over a shark on his motorcycle. From that point, so many people considered the show to just stagger downhill in quality that the action became a euphemism for when something peaks and starts heading downhill. In fact, a number of basic elements have been found that contribute to shark-jumping: Birth/Death, Change of Actor (Bewitched!), On Location At…, New Charater (Scrappy-Doo), Next On a Very Special… (Blossom!), The Movie (TMNT), etc.
Wow, so it's much older than I thought. Makes sense in that context. I wonder why I've only recently started seeing it used, and only in forums and such. Maybe there's a Happy Days resurgence, or a lot of geeks have joined the Church of the Fonz. Or I just haven't been paying attention. Thanks for the enlightenment.
Now if I only knew how "shooting the shit" came about.
Persons 1 and 2: Person 3: What are you two doing? Person 1: We're bored, so we're shooting at the cow pies. Person 3: Hey, can I play?
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Jump the Shark
Date: 2007-05-11 05:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-05-11 11:33 am (UTC)The phrase originated in describing the show Happy Days. In one episode, the Fonz (heeeeeey!) jumps over a shark on his motorcycle. From that point, so many people considered the show to just stagger downhill in quality that the action became a euphemism for when something peaks and starts heading downhill. In fact, a number of basic elements have been found that contribute to shark-jumping: Birth/Death, Change of Actor (Bewitched!), On Location At…, New Charater (Scrappy-Doo), Next On a Very Special… (Blossom!), The Movie (TMNT), etc.
no subject
Date: 2007-05-11 03:52 pm (UTC)Now if I only knew how "shooting the shit" came about.
Persons 1 and 2:
Person 3: What are you two doing?
Person 1: We're bored, so we're shooting at the cow pies.
Person 3: Hey, can I play?
no subject
Date: 2007-05-11 10:57 pm (UTC)"Television show focuses less on original characters and more on one particular character or his gimmick."
"Show becomes progressively less believable and more fantastic."
no subject
Date: 2007-05-11 11:31 pm (UTC)