Run of the Mill

Posted by Terry on October 13, 1999

In Reply to: Run of the Mill posted by Bob on October 12, 1999

: : : What's the origin of this phrase - I can find no reference.

: : Run of the mill, as in plain not fancy.
: : I always thought the phrase had to do with some product
: : being produced in a factory, the "mill",
: : as opposed to being produced by hand.
: : The product coming from the mill would be
: : quite ordinary, one of a thousand, while the
: : hand-made item would be quite unique,
: : one of a kind, not the "run of the mill"!!

: I've also heard "run of mine" in western Pennsylvania, meaning the same as run of the mill, but source???? Anybody know anything about it?

I can't put my finger on the reference but I recall reading somewhere, a long time ago, that 'milling' was the slang name given to street fights in the newly industrialised towns of England in the 17th/18th century. Could this be the origin of such phrases as 'been through the mill' etc.

• Run of the Mill ESC 10/16/99