(no subject)
Mar. 16th, 2023 12:25 amvia https://ift.tt/f0xXLQo
talestobetold https://www.tumblr.com/talestobetold/711328933344411648/i-thought-it-was-about-gloryholes :
gunsandfireandshit https://gunsandfireandshit.tumblr.com/post/711173785205784576/oh-guess-i-always-figured-it-was-an-aviation-term :
eilooxara https://eilooxara.tumblr.com/post/711151806574723072/i-heard-it-was-from-centrifugal-governors-on-steam :
chaumas-deactivated20230115 https://chaumas-deactivated20230115.tumblr.com/post/711150884732764160/its-an-antique-aviation-term-equivalent-to :
chaumas-deactivated20230115 https://chaumas-deactivated20230115.tumblr.com/post/711149495126310912/balls-to-the-wall-is-a-great-phrase-because-it :
“Balls to the wall” is a great phrase because it sounds vulgar but it’s not so you can say it at work and not get in trouble.
It’s an (antique) aviation term equivalent to “pedal to the metal” for when the engine controls are pushed all the way forward and the ball-shaped grips are up against the wall.
BUT it conjures up vivid imagery of a crass scene in which drop-trou contortionists are bent over and backed up against the wall, perhaps in preparation for some bizarre sexual relay race. Or an execution?
Truly an excellent term that I hope never falls out of common parlance.
I heard it was from centrifugal governors on steam engines!
When the balls go to their maximum diameter (to the wall) the steam engine is running at its fastest speed
Oh, guess I always figured it was an aviation term for like, pulling so many Gs that your balls are getting tugged in an unnatural direction, this makes more sense
i thought it was about gloryholes. (Your picture was not posted)