Some Phrases Have Stood the Test of Time; I Still Hear a Few of Them Today
The historical context of the phrase, "close, but no cigar" was used greatly in the early part of the twentieth century. It was said to someone who fell slightly short of a winning outcome. The phrase originates from the 1920s when cigars were handed out as prizes at state fairs and carnivals. At... Sign in to see full entry.