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The sky's the limit

Posted by Gary Martin on September 12, 2007

In Reply to: The sky's the limit posted by Guidegirl on September 12, 2007

: What is the origin of the adage "The sky's the limit"? I have only found one reference, this from the OnLine Etymology Dictionary: " ...phrase "the sky's the limit" is attested from 1920." I've looked at aviation history (no Wright brother said it, and Earhart played off of it later with "The sky is not the limit.",at history of high-rises, Roaring 20's history, stock market history.

The origin I don't know and I doubt that you will find it. It isn't necessarily a literal reference to the sky - more likely just an allusion to the sky as something that is very high or without limit.

It is probably an American phrase dates from a little before 1920. The earliest I can find is from the Ohio paper The Sandusky Star Journal, 1911:

"Carl Holzaepfel says Daily Dope ought to have a limit on what it will print about a fellow. Rights, we have! The sky's our limit."

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