Tell it to the Marines

A discussion of slang and the changes it undergoes.
Perry Lassiter
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Tell it to the Marines

Postby Perry Lassiter » Thu Sep 29, 2011 12:30 am

I'm reading The Code Talker about Marine Navajos in WWII. From somewhere I remembered as a kid hearing and using the expression "tell it to the Marines on Guadalcanal," later shortened to "tell it to the Marines." As I recall, it was an expression of disbelief. Anyone else remember this or any associations therewith? Perhaps a different meaning? Since they attacked in Island in '43, I think, the expression must come after that.
pl

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Slava
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Postby Slava » Thu Sep 29, 2011 2:40 am

Much, much earlier, if this is correct.
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.

bnjtokyo

Postby bnjtokyo » Thu Sep 29, 2011 3:22 am

Google ngrams turns up the following in The Westminster review, Vol 18, pg 83, (1833)

"If the Bank pretends to put restraint on itself for public motives, it will find few that it will convince. In the nautical proverb, 'they may tell it to the marines, but the sailors will never believe it.'"

Perry Lassiter
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Postby Perry Lassiter » Thu Sep 29, 2011 8:24 pm

No idea it was that old. The Guadacanal addition must have been an unconscious update.
pl


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