I've got a collection of random information in my brain that makes me an awesome Trivial Pursuit partner, but is completely useless when it comes to real world application. Like say, job applications. I thought I'd share some of this random crap with you in the form of another acronym-ific series. I give you - Word Origins from Left Field - that's right, the WOLF. Er... ignore the fact that the "from" doesn't fit.
I haven't been to the movies in awhile because I'm a really picky girl. But that doesn't mean that I don't toss around a phrase or two that I picked up from the biz. I don't know how much longer one of my favorite sayings will be hanging on with the arrival of the digital age, but I love telling people when I'm finished writing and editing a book that it's in the can.
In the days of reel film, movies were packed into circular canisters in order to be shipped to theaters for release. I had some friends that worked at a local theatre and I loved to poke around those things. It was (and remains) amazing to me that there's a movie in there. I haven't been in the audience or a reel room in years, so I can't say whether or not those heavy awkward monsters of the film industry are still floating around out there, but damn they were entertaining.
In any case, I find it particularly appropriate to say one of my books is in the can, because this can only be used in reference to something that's completely finished. Edited, cut, polished, ready to go out to the public for consumption. And we all know getting to that point is a long, long process. The can is a good place to be.
In so many ways.