Recently my good friend, Jean Ware, asked me about this one. I knew I had done the research but not included it in my newspaper columns, so here goes! It is not one with a clear path of beginning.

There has been much speculation and disagreement over the origin of this metaphor.  Some have attempted to tie it to drug use, but this does not appear to apply in any way to the current intent of the saying. Others link it to actually being on a boat.

The true meaning is that when one person tells another about what he or she is planning, or has already done to be happy, or engage in an activity or job, the person using this expression is skeptical, and means, “Whatever makes you happy, do it.”

It seems to fit the pattern of merely a rhyming metaphor. Most agree that it originated in America in the 1980s. One major phrase origin dictionary states 1981. This is possible, since the earliest available citation is in "Milestones, the Harpeth High School Yearbook," Nashville, for 1981 in the senior index under a student’s name, obviously answers to questions she has been asked and statements made to her:

“Meet the Dirt” “No, Charlotte, I don’t have a piece of gum.” “Whatever floats your boat” “Never mind” 

Another early citation came from the Sunday Herald, Chicago, August 16, 1981:

“Venus enters your house of travel on the 18th to stay until Sept. 12, so make getaway any way you can. Fly, drive, row or read. Whatever floats your boat.”

Of course the 1981 High School yearbook had been published much prior to this article, so it is likely that it had been being used, at least by American youth, a bit earlier.

If you have a phrase you would like to see featured here, please text Stan at 931-212-3303 or email him at stan@stclair.net