What is the origin of the expression/phrase "That was no fluke"?

Question

Some people assume that the phrase pertains to a fish called "fluke" but my microbiology teacher said that the phrase has something to do with the parasitic helminth called "flukes" (scientific name Trematoda). Have looked it up on the net but nothing significantly connected to our class lectures had come up. Your help will be much appreciated.

Answer 1

Try the explanations of the word fluke on the link below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluke

Or try the links below on this page:

http://www.onelook.com/?w=fluke

It was a fluke I came across it.

Good Luck with your lectures.

Answer 2

The word fluke has a few meanings but the one that you refer to comes from the game of snooker.It is an expression to describe what happens when, in that game, if you pot a ball correctly, but unintentionally such as if the ball bounces of another and goes into the pocket, then that shot is known as a 'fluke'. So if you do something that appears to have been successful by luck or accident but which was actually intentional you would say 'That was no fluke.'

Answer 3

The word fluke was first recorded as meaning a lucky shot at billiards (not snooker) in 1857. The origin of the word is uncertain.