Decoding the "Old College Try": Origin, Meaning, and Usage
The idiom "old college try" is a colorful expression that evokes images of spirited effort and wholehearted attempts. This article delves into the meaning, origin, and usage of this phrase, exploring its evolution from the baseball diamond to everyday language.
Defining the "Old College Try"
At its core, "to give it the old college try" means to put forth one's best effort, often to an outsized degree. Merriam-Webster Online defines it as "a zealous all-out effort." The phrase often implies an attempt to achieve something with a high risk of failure, a plucky effort against heavy odds. It suggests giving something your best shot, even if you aren't sure how to do it.
The Baseball Diamond Origin
Contrary to what one might expect, the expression "give it the old college try" didn't originate on a college campus. Its roots lie in the world of baseball, specifically at the turn of the century. The term was used to describe a player's heroic attempt to make a play, such as trying to catch a fly ball that was far out of reach. It referenced the perceived enthusiasm of an amateur athlete playing for his college team.
Billy Evans wrote that "I gave it the old college try" is a term "often used in big league baseball, when some player keeps on going after a fly ball, usually in foul territory, with the odds about ten to one he would never reach it. Teammates of such a player often beat him to it by shouting in unison with the thought of humor uppermost: 'Well, kid, you certainly gave it the old college try,' as he falls short of making the catch."
From Baseball to Everyday Language
The expression gained wider recognition when it was quoted in Babe Ruth's book in the 1920s. From there, the phrase "give it the old college try" entered the American lexicon to signify any heroic attempt to achieve something, especially when the odds of success are slim.
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Examples in Context
The idiom "old college try" appears in various contexts, often highlighting a commendable but potentially futile effort.
- "There’s nothing wrong with a slapdash film and “Vampires vs. the Bronx” gives it the old college try." (The Rome Sentinel)
- "I’m all in favor of giving it the old college try (or the old professional try, as the case may be)." (The Spokesman-Review)
- “Anyone can give it the old college try and sink a lot of money and lose a lot of money fast,” he said.
Related Phrases and Variations
The phrase "give it the old college try" has several related forms, including:
- gives it the old college try
- gave it the old college try
- giving it the old college try
Potential Connotations
While generally positive, the term can sometimes carry a hint of irony or sarcasm, particularly when the effort is perceived as excessive or ill-advised. Babe Ruth defined "giving it the old college try" as "playing to the grandstand or making strenuous effort to field a ball that obviously cannot be handled."
Evans continued: "When some player does something that a professional player might not ordinarily attempt, such as colliding with a fielder who had the ball ready to touch him out, in the hope that he might make him drop the ball, regardless of the danger he was courting, someone is sure to say, often ironically, if the speaker happens to be one of the players in the field: 'That's the old college spirit'."
Early Usage
The idiom can be traced back to at least 1912. As noted by Barry Popik, an article in the Buffalo Commercial (Oct. 16) stated: "It appeared that there was not a possible chance for the ball to be caught, and Stahl started to pound around the bases with his run. But Snodgrass gave it the old college try and got away with it."
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