Nothing flat

Posted by R. Berg on May 20, 2003

In Reply to: Nothing flat posted by Henry on May 20, 2003

: : I told my son that we would be there in "nothing flat."
: : He asked when and where "nothing flat" originated?
: : Any ideas?

: Perhaps it comes from the meaning in Webster;
: Flat; 7. Clear; unmistakable; peremptory; absolute; positive; downright.

: Flat burglary as ever was committed. --Shak.
: A great tobacco taker too, -- that's flat. --Marston.

: If two minutes flat is just two minutes, then nothing flat would be no time or distance at all.

Indeed, people--Americans, at least--say "We'll be there in no time."