Whatever floats your boat

Posted by Baceseras on August 19, 2010 at 11:50

In Reply to: Whatever floats your boat posted by ESC on August 18, 2010 at 23:06:

: : What is the the origin and first use of the saying 'whatever floats your boat'? Please help me discover the true origin of this saying. There are too many answers that don't have any validity and it would greatly help me in my research. Thank you for your time and effort.

: One reference says US campus, 1980s+. "Cassell’s Dictionary of Slang" by Jonathon Green (Wellington House, London, 1998). Page 1273.

[Definitely older than 1980s - I used to hear it around 1970-71, and it seemed to have green mold on it even then. And my college roommate, when trying anything new or uncertain, would sometimes say in an undertone, "Boat, ya gotta float!" - Baceseras.]