Where does the expression "silver bullet" come from when used in business solutions?

Question

i have often heard my colleagus say "we haven't found the silver bullet". I don't like the expression but I understand what it means. I would like to use another expression to suggest finding the "perfect solution". Any suggestions?

Answer 1

I agree with you - this term is used very often.

The metaphor of the silver bullet applies to any straightforward solution perceived to have extreme effectiveness. The phrase typically appears with an expectation that some new technology or practice will easily cure a major prevailing problem. The term originates from folklore. Traditionally, the silver bullet is the only kind of bullet for firearms that is effective against a witch, vampire, monster, or a person living a charmed life.


Other suggestions: Panacea, Magic bullet

Answer 2

Hi,

There was a radio show, back in the early 1900's, called the Lone Ranger, think it was also a TV show later on. The Lone Ranger always used silver bullets, and when he had solved a problem, ie defeating the bad guys, he would always leave a silver bullet as a sign of problem solved by the Lone Ranger.

In the business world, a silver bullet is an icon for a method of fixing the problem or a problem having been solved.

Good question,

Darryl S.

Answer 3

What Is A Silver Bullet

Answer 4

Reproductive rights and parental responsibily are not the same thing so enforcing prochoice is not the same as shirking parental responsibily.Thats the flaw in this argument. Maybe if you are prolife they are but otherwise they are not. Not paying support is shirking parental responsibility. Feeding and clothing a child is compleltey different than stopping a featus from developing. Yes they should have worn condom as people who get STDs are told. Men still suffer less burden in these situations when the women do have babies given that they must stay at home and be primary carers and they also dont carry children making it hard to apply these sort of reproductive rights to them. There are people who take advantage of the situation men should be aware of that. There should be protections to ensure that the funds are directed towards the child and not siezed upon by the mother. As we all agree however it should be parents who are encouraged and allowed to acces the child.

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Where does the expression "silver bullet" come from when used in business solutions?
i have often heard my colleagus say "we haven't found the silver bullet". I don't like the expression but I understand what it means. I would like to use another expression to suggest finding the "perfect solution". Any suggestions?

Answer 6

the phrase is supposed to be magic bullet, from the JFK assassination trial, I think. you could look it up on wikipedia.org probably. the silver bullet thing is for werewolves, which is where magic bullet came from, but i haven't heard of people using silver bullet that way.

oops, I'm wrong.. "magic bullet" was actually used back in 1821 in German folklore (a bullet is ammo for a sling I imagine) It was in german, though, and translated later in 1938?

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

a 'panacea' is a cure-all
you can 'kill two birds with one stone'

Answer 7

A ilever bullet is used in mythology to kill a vampire or werewolf, it is the only thing that can. similarly in business it means they have found the solution to a problem that they thought would not die.

Answer 8

i would have to say it is based on the legend that a werewolf can be killed with a silver bullet