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Food For Thought

Posted by Paulus on October 22, 2002

In Reply to: Food For Thought posted by ESC on October 22, 2002

: : Anyone know of the origins of this phrase? Can't find it in the archives or on other phrase sites... And it's such a common one at that! Thanks a bunch.

: FOOD FOR THOUGHT - "Something to ponder; a provocative idea. It is a classic metaphor: food is crucial for the body, and the mind works best when given things to chew on. Robert Southey wrote, in 'A Tale of Paraguay' : 'A lively tale, and fraught with.food for thought.'" From The Dictionary of Cliches by James Rogers (Ballantine Books, New York, 1985).

Perhaps another fun meaning could be a more literal one.. a sign a panhandler may hold up "Food for Thought" instead of "Will Work for FOod". He/she may or may not be successful in an endeavor like this, however, unless they have some good insight (which I've found they often do).

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