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Blue-Sky Thinking

Posted by James Briggs on May 17, 2003

In Reply to: Blue-Sky Thinking posted by Brian from Shawnee on May 17, 2003

: : : I heard the term "Blue-Sky Thinking" the other day, and I like it. It means "Brainstorming". I heard it from a co-worker. Apparently it's been around for a while but it was the first time I'd heard it. The reason I like it is because it's new, or at least it's new to me and I suspect it's new to many others!

:
: : I wonder if this saying is related to the "Blue Sky Laws" that, at least in South Carolina, restrict the products can be purchased on Sundays, alcohol for example. The phrase is more commonly refered to as "Blue Laws".

: I know "Blue Laws" restrict Sunday shopping. But I think "Blue Sky Laws" refer to something else, such as open bidding on government contracts, holding town council meetings open to the public, etc. But it does seem like the phrase could have grown out of "Blue Sky Laws".

These phrase is well known in business circles in the UK. Here it seems to relate to the concept of opening up your mind as widely as possible in discussion - as wide as the 'blue sky' - when trying to think up new strategies; a version of 'lateral thinking'. I doubt it relates to S Carolina laws in any way.

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