Balls out

Posted by Barney on March 28, 2002

In Reply to: Balls out posted by TheFallen on March 28, 2002

: : : Has anyne heard the term "balls out"? It is often used in business settings when a company
: : : decides to change to a new software system. To go "balls out" means to install it and use it without
: : : worrying about the way we've always done it.

: : : Does the term come from the way the pendulum swings all the way out?

: : Um. Well. Ahhh. No.

: To go "balls out" means to throw caution to the winds and charge full-steam ahead. Without wanting to be too blunt as to the phrase's provenance, it's something which we males could do both figuratively *and* literally (though I can't think of any printable occasions when I'd do the latter), whereas the fairer sex is limited to doing it figuratively.

I believe that this expression originated with the early steam engines whose governors were a pair of spinning balls, which described a larger and larger circle as the demanded speed, and hence their rotational speed, increased to control the steam valve and hence the flow of steam from boiler to pistons.

Balls out TheFallen 03/28/02
- Balls out JOSHVA 03/28/02
  - Balls out DGW 03/28/02
    - Balls out R. Berg 03/28/02
      - Balls to the wall R. Berg 03/28/02
        
        Reprieve From Ignominy TheFallen 03/28/02
        
        Reprieve From Ignominy Bob 03/28/02
        
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        Reprieve From Ignominy R. Berg 03/29/02
        
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        Ritalin for the soul TheFallen 03/29/02
        
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