✍️ Sign on the Dotted Line: The Binding Power of Commitment 📜
Definition
To indicate one’s full acceptance of terms being offered. The dotted line in question is often used on official documents to indicate the place for one’s signature. The term dates from the early 1900s.
Humor-Filled Quote
“If you can’t convince them, confuse them. But eventually, make sure they sign on the dotted line.” - Unknown, probably a lawyer.
P.G. Wodehouse Reference
P. G. Wodehouse used it in Indiscretions of Archie (1921): “He sang a few bars from ‘Rigoletto,’ and signed on the dotted line.”
Related and Similar Terms
- Seal the deal: Confirm agreement.
- Put pen to paper: Start writing or agree formally.
- Ink the deal: Sign a formal document.
Synonyms
- Agree
- Commit
- Endorse
Antonyms
- Reject
- Refuse
- Decline
Proverbs
- “Actions speak louder than words”—but words on the dotted line speak pretty darn loudly too.
- “The pen is mightier than the sword”—especially when it’s signing contracts.
Suggested Literature
- Book: Wonder Boys by Michael Chabon—explores both literal and figurative commitments.
- Movie: The Social Network—full of contracts, deals, and consequences.
- Song: “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” by Stevie Wonder.
- Poem: “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost—decisions, decisions!
Educational Trivia
While the exact history of dotted lines isn’t clear, their association with contracts has made signing a dotted line a universal signal for acknowledgment and commitment.
Inspirational, Thought-provoking Farewell
As you navigate the inexhaustible sea of commitments, remember: a signature might be a small mark, but it can create vast opportunities. Happy signing, and may every dotted line you encounter lead to paths of fulfillment and joy!
