That won't fly

Posted by D. Chumbley on April 05, 2006

"Won't fly." What is the origin of the phrase, used as such: "It won't fly," "That won't fly," or "Will it fly?" My understanding is that it is an old Yiddish saying used to imply something is as unlikely to happen as was the resurrection of Jesus. Their implication was that if Jesus was resurrected, it was the same as if he had flown away. And, they, being Jewish, had strong doubts that such an event took place. So, if something came up and they doubted its possibilities, they would say, "That won't fly."
D. Chumbley, Minneapolis, USA

• That won't fly Bob 05/April/06