FYI : This is published for the purpose of explaining an idiom used on Four6Out’s recent article. Please note that the use of the idiom is in no way a means to body shame or present fat-phobic nuances. Please read below a perfectly articulated origins of the term and how it subsequently fits into the sports article published 06 March 2024.

. Starts:

This seemingly offensive idiom essentially just means you shouldn’t assume the outcome or jump to conclusions until everything is said and done. It’s like organizing a fundraiser and giving up halfway through the event because you haven’t met the funding goal yet. Wait until the end, when it’s all over, and then determine your final numbers.

The same can be applied to sports. If you’re in the midst of playing a game and your team is losing, you still have time to score some goals before it all ends. Meaning it’s not over until the time is up because you could score a winning goal in the last few seconds.

Origin of “It Ain’t Over Till the Fat Lady Sings”:
This expression comes from the world of the opera. Most opera shows are long, including several singers, performers and acts. But there’s often a long, beautiful solo right at the end to conclude the show, and this was done by a large lady decked out in a gorgeous dress. That’s how you knew the show was almost over because the large lady was singing.

The very original fat lady was the role of Brunnhilde in Götterdämmerung, a German piece made by Richard Wagner and was over four hours long.

Later on, it was worked into the world of sports, specifically basketball games. One of the first instances you can find is by Ralph Carpenter in the Dallas Morning News in 1976, “The opera ain’t over until the fat lady sings.” And then, in 1978, Charles Rayford Smith, a sports information director, used it in some televised commentary.

Read the rest of the article HERE

NB : All writing credit belongs to Candace Osmond, Grammarist Writer and Author, you can find her work on : http://www.grammarist.com. 

House-keeping : This referral post is curated by Ms Molefe.