What's In A Word?

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I Swear, Officer. I Thought She Was Eighteen.

The catch phrase probably started as a reference to Errol Flynn's sexual prowess, but it's not certain. It dates to 1945. Early explanations of the phrase refer to Errol's athleticism and swashbuckling movie roles, not sex, but this may be editorial gloss. Flynn was acquitted of statuatory rape in 1942, and this may have generated or contributed to the phrase, but there is no documented connection to the trial.

Eric Partridge states the American version of the phrase independently arose and is a reference to New York City political boss, Ed Flynn.

In Dispute: "In like Flynn" is from Errol Flynn's acquittal on statutory rape charges.

References:

• AFU Archive: In Like Flynn
• A Dictionary of Catch Phrases, Eric Partridge