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Where the rubber meets the road

Posted by Stan on November 16, 2002

In Reply to: posted by ESC on November 15, 2002

: : : Hi! Can you please tell me the origin of the phrase "Where the rubber meets the road". Did it have something to do with rubber trees meeting the trucks for shipment? Thank you!

: :
: : I remember that phrase from a jingle in a series of TV commercials in the 1960's and 70's. I think it was for Firestone tires, but I'm not positive. I remember that there was this tune, sung by a choir of deep-voiced men. I think it went "Firestone...where the rubber meets the road" Of course they may have used the phrase before then.

: "Where the rubber meets the road" refers to the tire of a vehicle on the surface of a road. It means "where it really counts."

:Thanks, but I think that may be too simple. I heard years ago from a man who worked on a rubber tree plantation that it originated there.

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