Expression I've Always Wondered About...

[Mitchell]

As I prepare to venture into the next, hopefully productive, phase of my life, that I've worked so diligently to achieve.. something crossed my mind.

Do any forum members know where the expression "A hundred and ten percent" came from? I think of it... On a test.. a perfect score is 100%. The only case I've seen differently, where it is more than that.. would be sometimes in school if a teacher gave "Extra credit questions" on say, a 100 question test.. and gave ten extra questions, and if the student scored perfectly on all 110, the teacher would write "Grade 110%".

If I give.. 101 percent effort. and 100 percent is the most one can give.. is that still not giving extra effort?

This expression of "110 percent" always baffled me. However.. if it takes 110 percent effort for me to be a successful insurance agent, then 110 percent is what I'll give.

 

[DontAskJusTckle]

It's not meant as a serious measurement or calculation. It's just an expression that mean going above and beyond what's expected. A figure of speech that indicates an unusual high level of effort and commitment.

 

[Mitchell]

Okay, that makes sense.

 

[milagros317]

As used by my high school soccer coach, it meant that whatever effort you gave was not enough to satisfy him.
As in, "You gve 100%, kid, but the team needs you to give 110%."

 

[desdemona]

For sports metaphors, I think of it as giving all you can give plus that little bit extra you can squeeze out when adrenaline rushes in. For everyday, I think of it as putting my whole heart, mind, body, and soul into the experience - all the focus and commitment you can give. At the end of the day, it leaves you feeling exhausted, but hopefully exhilarated.

 

[Soda Bobinski]

Do any forum members know where the expression "A hundred and ten percent" came from?

On a scale of one to ten , the disdain I have for this expression is about an '11'.