BTW, origin of ``flash in the pan`` goes back about 300-375 years. Had to do with pre-flint lock guns. A ``pan`` sat aside the barrel which had to be filled with gun powder immediately before firing (or it would fall out). There was a small hole at the base of the barrel, and it was hoped (!) that, once the powder in the pan was lit off by the trigger (a smoldering bit of rope that had been soaked in salt peter to keep burning slow - like a punk), a spark would enter the hole and ignite the gun powder in the barrel. This often didn`t work. There`d be a big flash (sometimes casing eye damage to the shooter) and a bunch of smoke, but the gun wouldn`t go off, but just have a ``flash in the pan``. Those type guns were used 1630 to around 1700 (when the flint lock came about).

Just amazes me where some of our oft-used phrases come from, how old or relatively recent they are, and how often they have to do with guns or warfare. ``Lock, stock and barrel`` - basic components of a gun. ``Whole nine yards`` - the length of a 50cal. machine gun ammo belt (as used on B-17s, etc.).

Just wanted to share...

SGE