First crack out of the box

Posted by ESC on August 03, 2004

In Reply to: First crack out of the box posted by James Briggs on August 02, 2004

: I had the following request from someone with a US email address. There was no more to the question. I've never heard the expression. Can anyone help?

: "What is the origin of "first crack out of the box"?"

I don't know what the origin is. But I found a meaning and similar phrases.

First crack off the bat.
First crack/cat out of the box.
First dash/pop/rattle out of the box.

They all are 20th century phrases and mean: immediately, at the first attempt.

From Cassell's Dictionary of Slang by Jonathon Green (Wellington House, London, 1998).

• First crack out of the box Brian from Shawnee 03/August/04
  • First crack out of the box ESC 03/August/04
    • First crack out of the box James Briggs 03/August/04
      • First crack out of the box dhm 03/August/04
        • First crack out of the box art 03/August/04