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Re: Bricks vs. doughnutsPosted by R. Berg on July 24, 2003 In Reply to: Re: Word meaning please posted by Kit on July 24, 2003 : : : : What is the history of the saying 'London to a brick'? : : : I hadn't heard it before. Based on the results of a Google search, it seems to be Australian. : : : Phrase 'London to a brick on,' (of an outcome) extremely likely: It's London to a brick on that he'll chicken out. [popularised by race-caller Ken Howard who used it to unofficially announce winners in a tight finish while awaiting the official decision. In racing parlance it is a statement of betting odds in which a punter is so certain of the outcome that they are willing to bet London to win a measly brick. Many people unaware of betting lingo leave out the vital word on, thus making the phrase the opposite of what is intended, i.e. the odds of laying a brick to win all of London, not much of a risk] : : : http://www.macquariedictionary.com.au/p/dictionary/slang-l.html : : : And from a speech by Philip Ruddock (Australian MP): : : : Ladies and gentlemen, as we say in Australia, "it is London to a brick" that immigration will become increasingly important for Australia and, I believe, for the UK. : : : http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/transcripts/transcripts01/uk_foreignpolicy_101201.htm : : The American equivalent is "dollars to donuts," donuts (doughnuts) being very inexpensive when this phrase was coined. With inflation, it now seems less extreme than, say, London to a brick. : Americans use donuts instead of bricks? No surprises there then. The English use bricks instead of doughnuts? No wonder they have bad teeth.
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