🏇 Across the Board: A Thoroughbred of a Term
Origin and Definition
“Affecting all classes and categories.” The term, originally American, comes from horse-racing, where a bet covering all winning possibilities—win (first place), place (second place), or show (third place)—was so described. By about 1950 it was extended to other situations, principally of an economic nature, as in across-the-board wage increases (for all employees), tax reductions (for all brackets), air-fare increases, and the like.
Synonyms and Related Terms
- Universally applied
- Blanket coverage
- Comprehensive
- Panoramic effect
- Sweeping
Antonyms
- Selective
- Piecemeal
- Fragmentary
- Targeted
Humor-filled Quote
“If our employer keeps giving us across-the-board raises, I’ll be across the seas on my dream vacation!”
Similar Expressions
- “A rising tide lifts all boats” - Often used in economic terms to state that an improvement in the general economy benefits all participants.
- “One-size-fits-all” - Though often ironically used to indicate that one solution may not suit everyone.
Literature & Pop Culture References
- Books: “Freakonomics” by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner – explores broad economic concepts in an accessible and humorous way.
- Movies: “The Big Short” (2015) – delves into widespread effects of economic decisions.
- Songs: “Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits – humorously touches upon universal themes of economic success and disparity.
Intriguing Tidbits
Making blanket decisions can backfire! Consider the infamous French military strategy post-WWI – the Maginot Line was built across the board to prevent a German invasion, yet Germany simply went around it.
Inspirational Thought
“True equity is not found in blanket measures alone but in considering the individual and adapting universally inclusive practices.”
✍️ Keep your eyes peeled and your language rich!
In consultation with literature, step into the quirky world of horse-racing and book your linguistic bets!
