Where Did We Get the Phrase "Have All Your Ducks in a Row?"

Part 3 of a 5-part series on the origin of popular phrases

When you're ready, we say you "have all your ducks in a row."

American bowlers originated the phrase in the mid-19th century.

Gambling among bowlers was taking such a toll on family finances at the time that governments began to pass laws prohibiting the game.

Bowling alley operators skirted the laws by changing the rules of the game, increasing the number of pins (from nine to ten) and modifying their shape. The new-fangled pins quickly became known as "ducks."

Bowling alley operators at the time also employed "pin boys," whose job was to set up your ducks before each frame.

When the pin boy's work was complete, you were ready—because you would "have all your ducks in a row."

NOTE: Special thanks to Ann Ramsey, writer, producer and historiographer of all things cryptic, for nominating the phrases in this series.

Where Did We Get the Phrase "Touch and Go?"

Part 2 of a 5-part series on the origin of popular phrases

When a situation looks precarious, we say it's "touch and go."

Seafarers originated the phrase in the 18th century.

When a ship scraped bottom, but escaped running aground, sailors would say that passage through the dangerous waters was "touch and go."

Where Did We Get the Phrase "Make the Grade?"

Part 1 of a 5-part series on the origin of popular phrases

When you succeed or measure up, we often say you "make the grade."

Engineers who built the railroads that crisscross the US originated the phrase in the 19th century.

When constructing routes through mountainous areas, they had to be sure to design gradients locomotives could handle.

Otherwise, the trains couldn't "make the grade."

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Nonprofits and Noble Cause Corruption

Washington, DC (where I live and work) is the cradle of cause-related nonprofits.

The majority do great things, no doubt.

But I've also seen the dark side of a few of these organizations.

Some never pay their bills and don't think twice about stiffing honest, hard-working suppliers.

In fact, I've seen so many defaults by cause-related nonprofits, I won't take work from them.

Call it holier-than-thou zeal, if you want. 

I think the better term is noble cause corruption.

Noble cause corruption is a form of "police crime" in which cops break the law in pursuit of a goal they believe will benefit society at large.

A common example: fabricating evidence to ensure a conviction.

Noble cause corruption may serve society. 

But it can just as easily lead to the punishment of innocents.

Do you work for a cause-related non-profit? 

If so, have you checked your accounts payable lately?

With apologies to Eldridge Cleaver, if you're part of a solution, you may be part of a problem.