Raindrop Reflections

July 20, 2019

Today, I figured I’d do something a little bit different – A Common Phrase With Historical Origins! The info is still coming from THEFACTSITE.COM, just a little bit different!

Well, I guess it’s not all that different, but just different than what I normally post! Just one fact and one strange quote!

Hope you enjoy…

“Close, But No Cigar”

“I had always thought this saying stemmed from the failed CIA assassination attempt on Fidel Castro where they tried to plant some exploding cigars in his person, which would blow his head off when he lit them up.

“As the CIA failed to get the cigars into Castro’s possession I had always assumed this is where it came from: close but no cigar.

“However, I was massively wrong as I found out this weekend.

“It stems back from the 1800’s and more specifically from the traveling fairs and carnivals that were common across America at this time.

“Back then, the prizes for the fairground games weren’t big cute teddies, but rather cigars or a nice bottle of whiskey. You see where this is going?

“So when you were at one of these fairs on, say, the coconut shy, and you nearly knocked that high and mighty coconut off its lofty platform but just missed it, then the carnie folk would shout “Close! But no cigar!””

(thefactsite.com)

So, now you know where the phrase “Close, but no cigar” comes from!

I hope every one has a great day and stays cool!

“He who sees nothing strange has never looked at a lobster in the face.”

—Auguste Villiers