What does envelope have to do with it?
2007-01-08 13:55:15 · 4 answers · asked by lynn 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
"the envelope" refers to the constraints of previous experience. "pushing" refers to going beyond. going beyond the constraints of previous experience..or.. pushing the envelope.
2007-01-08 14:04:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Exceed the limits of what is normally done, be innovative, as in They are pushing the envelope in using only new fabrics for winter clothing. This idiom comes from aviation, the envelope alluding to the technical limits of a plane's performance, which, on a graph, appear as a rising slope as limits of speed and stress are approached and falls off when the capacity is exceeded and the pilot loses control; safety lies within these limits, or envelope, and exceeding them exposes pilot and plane to risk. [Slang; late 1960s]
2007-01-08 14:08:49 · answer #2 · answered by Is 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We know what it means... but even this page seems to only hypothesize as to its origins. http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/push-the-envelope.html
2007-01-08 14:11:44 · answer #3 · answered by y_i_awwta 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's actually a mathematical term and it will hurt my brain to type it all............... just google it
2007-01-08 14:03:19 · answer #4 · answered by xjoizey 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋