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Re: Top Notch

Posted by Bruce Kahl on February 16, 2002

In Reply to: Top Notch posted by James Briggs on February 16, 2002

: I'm looking for suggestions as to the origin/background of this phrase - there's nothing I can find in the archives.
: Thanks

Pasted from the Word-Detective:

"The term "top notch" originated in some sort of game or competition where the score was kept by moving markers upward on a notched board or stick. The winner, presumably would be the one whose marker reached the top notch first, making "top notch" a fitting metaphor for "the best."