First Come, First Served 🐦
Definition:
The prompt get first choice. This idea was stated by Chaucer (ca. 1386) in The Wife of Bath’s Tale, “Whoso first cometh to the mill, first grist,” and was cited as a proverb by Erasmus. An early reference with the exact modern wording dates from about 1545, in Henry Brinklow’s Complaynt of Roderick Mors.
Synonyms:
- Early bird catches the worm
- The quickest on the draw
- First dibs
- Shotgun (not just a firearm!)
Antonyms:
- Last in, last out
- Back of the line
Similar Terms:
- Early bird catches the worm – A metaphorical nod to the perks of early action.
- Time and tide wait for no man – The relentless march of time favors no one.
- First come, first served – The early player wins the game.
Humor-Filled Quotes & References:
- “I don’t have a solution, but I do admire the problem.” – Saying “First Come, First Served” implies the problem of being slow.
- “Why is everyone who likes my photos on Instagram anyone in the world as quick as the first one?”
- The race for the left-over pizza slice at the office party is the ultimate test of “first served.”
Proverbs:
- “Make hay while the sun shines” – Capitalize on the good times!
- “You snooze, you lose” – Truer words were never spoken, especially when it comes to hot donuts or parking spaces.
Literature, Books, Films, and Songs Recommendation:
- Literature: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Willy Wonka’s factory tickets are a surreal yet delicious example of “first come, first served.”
- Books: The Hunger Games – May the odds be ever in your favor if you show up first to the cornucopia!
- Films: Jingle All the Way – A father’s frantic chase for the last Turbo Man echoes an extreme case of “first come, first served.”
- Songs: “You Can’t Hurry Love” – Feel the gentle irony as you reflect on the benefits of patience!
Quizzes
### Which of these statements align with "first come, first served"?
- [x] The early bird gets the worm.
- [ ] Better late than never.
- [ ] Best things come to those who wait.
- [ ] They also serve who only stand and wait.
> **Explanation:** "The early bird gets the worm" aligns perfectly with the concept of benefiting from being the first in line or taking action promptly.
### True or False: "First come, first served" means everyone is served.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** False. It means that those who arrive or act first receive the benefits, not necessarily that everyone will be served.
### The idiom "first come, first served" can be closely related to:
- [x] Time waits for no man
- [ ] Better luck next time
- [x] Early bird gets the worm
- [ ] Haste makes waste
> **Explanation:** "Time waits for no man" and "early bird gets the worm" highlight advantages given to the proactive and timely, much like "first come, first served."
Farewell Thought: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” - Ferris Bueller. So, remember, be swift and seize your chances! 🔄
With words and wisdom, Penelope Proverb, signing off.
