🎉 It’s All Over but the Shouting 🎬
Definition: The outcome is certain, though it may not yet be widely known.
Provenance: Probably originating in the mid-nineteenth century, the phrase was first used for the outcome of sporting events, elections, and similar competitive undertakings, and it still is.
Related and Similar Terms:
- The fat lady sings: Denoting the finality of an event; it’s not over until the opera diva’s last note.
- The writing’s on the wall: The impending doom or an inevitable conclusion is obvious to everyone.
- Foregone conclusion: An outcome that is already known beforehand.
- Done and dusted: Something is completely finished.
- In the bag: Success or something hoped for is guaranteed.
Proverbs and Expressions:
- “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch” – Although an outcome is certain, it’s wise to await the official result.
- “It ain’t over ’til it’s over” – Don’t assume the result before the end.
- “Victory is sweet even in anticipation” – It’s delightful to see a win coming well in advance.
Humor-filled Quotes:
- “I’m so confident our team will win; I’ve started my victory dance routine already!”
- “Election night? Pff, my party’s already picked out the wallpaper for the Oval Office.”
Literature and References:
- Book: “From Small Towns to Big Time: A History of Election Phrases” by Polling H. Pundit (2022)
- Song: “The Winner Takes It All” by ABBA
- Movie: “Election” (1999), a darkly humorous take on high school class president elections.
### Which of these phrases means the outcome is certain?
- [x] All over but the shouting
- [ ] Singing until the cows come home
- [ ] Kneading bread in the dark
- [ ] Snacking with the raccoons
> **Explanation:** "All over but the shouting" means the outcome is certain, though excitement or recognition of it may still be pending.
### Pick the idiom that means something is assured but not yet official.
- [ ] Lost in translation
- [x] In the bag
- [ ] Cry over spilled milk
- [ ] Barking up the wrong tree
> **Explanation:** "In the bag" means success is certain, though it might not be formally acknowledged just yet.
### True or False: 'The fat lady sings' signifies an unchanging, guaranteed outcome.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** 'The fat lady sings' actually means not assuming the outcome until the very end.
May your certainty be as vibrant as the inevitable applause that follows the final act.
Warmest Regards,
W. T. Wittywords
October 1, 2023
