As the crow flies
As the crow flies, similar to in a beeline, is an idiom for the most direct path between two points. This meaning is attested from the early 19th century,[1][2] and appeared in Charles Dickens's novel Oliver Twist:
We cut over the fields at the back with him between us – straight as the crow flies – through hedge and ditch.[1]
According to BBC Focus, "'As the crow flies' is a pretty common saying but it isn't particularly accurate".[3] Crows do not swoop in the air like swallows or starlings, but they often circle above their nests.[3] Crows do conspicuously fly alone across open country, but neither crows nor bees (as in “beeline”) fly in particularly straight lines.[3] One claim, that before modern navigational methods were introduced, crows were kept upon ships and released when land was sought [4] has no scientific basis. In fact crows would not travel well in cages as they fight if confined.[5]
See also
References
- ^ a b Allen, Robert (2008). Allen's Dictionary of English Phrases. Penguin UK. ISBN 9780141917689.
- ^ Knowles, Elizabeth (2006). The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Oxford University Press, UK. ISBN 9780191578564.
- ^ a b c Villazon, Luis. “Do crows actually fly in a straight line?”, BBC Focus (August 30, 2017).
- ^ http://see-the-sea.org/nautical/naut-body.htm
- ^ http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-ast1.htm
Further reading
- Dundes, Alan (2004). "As the Crow Flies: A Straightforward Study of Lineal Worldview in American Folk Speech". In Lau, Kimberley J.; et al. (eds.). What Goes Around Comes Around: The Circulation of Proverbs in Contemporary Life. Utah State University Press. pp. 171–187. ISBN 978-0-87421-592-2.
- Winfield, Charles H. (1882). Adjudged Words and Phrases: Being a Collection of Adjudicated Definitions of Terms Used in the Law, with References to Authorities. Jersey City, NJ: J.J. Griffiths. p. 45. OCLC 3364516.
as the crow flies.
External links
- "As the crow flies" The Phrase Finder.
- "As the crow flies" World Wide Words.